A merchandise worker is feeling a right mug after slapping a picture of the US president on a commemorative cup... instead of England player Chris Smalling.

Barack Obama is pictured wearing the England strip after being mistaken for the former Chatham Grammar School for Boys pupil, who now plays for England.

It comes after a junior member of staff was said to have been tasked with finding royalty-free images of the squad to put on some commemorative mugs.

The head and shoulders photo printed on the mugs show Obama wearing the kit, with the caption 'Chris Smalling World Cup squad Brazil 2014' beneath it.

The Dorset merchandise company, which has not been named, is now believed to be hastily trying to off-load the stock.

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, 24, is a rising star in the England squad, after starting his career as a junior player in Kent's youth squads.

He played for Walderslade FC before progressing to Maidstone United.

He was also a player for Kent Schools under-16s and under-18s teams before being spotted by talent scouts.