Credit: Imago

Samuel Fabre

Mon 6 October 2025 12:00, UK

Sunderland’s brilliant form at the start of this season has seen a number of players called up for their respective national teams.

The Black Cats have achieved 11 points from their opening seven Premier League matches, despite being tipped for relegation at the start of the season.

As a result, 11 Sunderland players have received call-ups from their countries to play in World-Cup qualifiers during the international break.

Granit Xhaka has been a breath of fresh air in the Sunderland midfield and will resume his role as the Switzerland captain.

Mackem News brings you a detailed guide of every Sunderland player who will feature for their country over the international break.

Granit Xhaka – Switzerland

The Sunderland captain has been ever-present for his country since his debut back in 2011, and Xhaka has made 139 caps for his country, scoring 14 goals in the process.

At the Stadium of Light, Xhaka has added an elite level of quality to the team, with his influence off the pitch also helping the development of several young players in the squad.

The 33-year-old midfielder has featured in every major tournament for his country since 2014, and he’ll be looking to help Switzerland qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Switzerland face Sweden away on 10 October, before another away trip to Slovenia on 13 October in their World Cup qualifiers.

Robin Roefs – The Netherlands

Robin Roefs’ excellent start to life at Sunderland earned him a first national team call-up at the end of August, yet he wasn’t given his debut.

Having joined the Black Cats from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen for a deal that could rise to £11.5million, Roefs has been immense in between the sticks.

His performances have earned him a Premier League Player of the Month nomination alongside Xhaka, with fans already in love with their new goalkeeper.

Despite not being the first-choice goalkeeper for his country, the Netherlands face Malta on 9 October and Finland on 12 October.

A victory in that first match against Malta could allow Ronald Koeman to potentially rotate his goalkeepers and give Roefs a dream debut for his country.

Dan Ballard and Trai Hume – Northern Ireland

Dan Ballard’s goal against Coventry in last season’s play-offs will go down in Sunderland folklore.

Ballard struggled with an injury sustained in the opening day win over West Ham, but has since recovered and played a big role in Sunderland’s defensive stability this season.

Trai Hume is the only player from the playoff-winning squad to have started every Premier League game under Regis Le Bris this season.

Both players will be hoping to drag Northern Ireland to their first World Cup since 1986.

Northern Ireland have two home ties against Slovakia on 10 October and Germany on 13 October.

• Read more: Ex-FIFA official – Stuart Attwell gets another big call wrong in Sunderland loss vs Man United

Reinildo – Mozambique

Reinildo joined Sunderland from Atletico Madrid in the summer, and the 31-year-old enjoyed a promising opening few games.

However, his sending off against Aston Villa led to a three-match suspension, and he’s only served the ban for two of these games.

Games Reinildo misses due to red card versus Aston VIlla:

• 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest
• 2-0 defeat to Manchester United
• Wolves (h) – 18 October

Reinildo will be in action for Mozambique, and his country is in with a surprise chance to qualify for a first World Cup in their history.

Mozambique play against Guinea on 9 October and Somalia on 12 October.

Omar Alderete – Paraguay

Omar Alderete has adapted well to the demands of the Premier League and has featured in all of Sunderland’s matches so far.

His winning goal against Nottingham Forest typified his aggressive nature in both boxes, and he has formed a good partnership with fellow new signing Nordi Mukiele.

Paraguay has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, finishing sixth in their qualification group.

Therefore, he will feature in friendlies against Japan and South Korea on 10 and 14 October, respectively.

Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku – DR Congo

Noah Sadiki has the potential to be a top player for Sunderland, with the 20-year-old midfielder starting every match in the Premier League this season.

Sadiki made his DR Congo debut in September 2024 and has since featured 11 times for his country.

Arthur Masuaku is at the other end of his international career, having made 36 caps for DR Congo since his debut in 2018.

Masuaku struggled against Man United on Saturday, and Sunderland fans will be hoping that he can rediscover some form whilst playing for his country.

DR Congo has also never qualified for the World Cup and they take on Togo on 10 October, and Sudan on 14 October.

Chemsdine Talbi – Morocco

Chemsdine Talbi came through the Club Brugge academy before making his move to Sunderland in a deal worth £19m.

The 20-year-old has started six of Sunderland’s top-flight matches this season, registering an assist in the 3-0 win over West Ham.

Talbi represented Belgium at a youth level, but chose to play for Morocco in March 2025.

Having made just one cap for his country, he’ll look to gain some more minutes under his belt as Morocco take on Bahrain in a friendly on 9 October, before resuming their World Cup qualifying campaign against Congo on 14 October.

Bertrand Traore – Burkina Faso

Bertrand Traore has enjoyed incredible success for his country, helping them achieve a third-placed finish at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017.

The Burkina Faso star has scored 22 goals for his national team, with Traore’s involvement in international action stretching back to 2011.

The 30-year-old joined Sunderland in the summer and was surprisingly included in Le Bris’ starting lineup versus Manchester United.

Burkina Faso have must-win matches against Sierra Leone on 8 October and Ethiopia on 12 October.

Simon Adingra – Ivory Coast

Coming in as the club’s second-most expensive signing of all time, Simon Adingra is struggling to adapt to life at Sunderland.

Adingra was subbed off in the 37th minute of Sunderland’s loss to Man United, and he is yet to score for the Black Cats.

The 23-year-old winger was one of the players of the tournament during the Ivory Coast’s 2024 Africa Cup of Nations win.

Ivory Coast play against the Seychelles on 10 October and Kenya on 14 October.

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