Why Trump is losing his grip and what can turn it around

The most popular sport tournament in the world, the FIFA World Cup, is being hosted in the USA, Mexico and Canada in June and July. But there is one slight geopolitical problem.

Iran, who the USA was at war with until a tedious ceasefire was agreed, are one of the 48 teams who qualified for the tournament.

However, not all, including President Donald Trump want them to be there, saying last month: “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety”.

One of his envoys, Paolo Zampolli has come up with a solution: Iran can simply be replaced.

Zampolli, who was born in Milan, Italy, said Iran should be replaced by… Italy.

“I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament,” he said.

“With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”

Despite their “pedigree”, Italy has failed to qualify for three World Cups in a row, most recently being eliminated by comparative underdogs Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Read our full analysis by Nick Pearson here.