With the 2026 World Cup now in full swing across the Atlantic, Sunderland boasts a strong contingent of players to watch over the coming weeks. The Black Cats have 11 players at the tournament, plus loanee Lutsharel Geertruida, highlighting the club's rise to prominence on the global stage.
Several Sunderland representatives have already played their first matches, thanks to the expanded 48-team format that offers more players a chance to shine. For many, this is their first World Cup experience, but not for club captain Granit Xhaka, who is participating in his fourth World Cup with Switzerland.
Xhaka's Excitement and Leadership
“I’m very excited,” said Xhaka. “It’s another tournament for me, and it’s always special to wear the shirt. Hopefully it’s a big tournament. The first one in Brazil was very exciting because it was my first, but every tournament is special, and we’re looking forward to that. It’s great to captain the team. There is a lot of responsibility, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Xhaka enjoyed a stellar first season at Sunderland after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, leading the team to European football for the first time in over 50 years. He sees parallels between the Sunderland squad and the Swiss national team.
“We respect everyone in our group, but we have the quality to play a good tournament. We have many good players. Like Sunderland, we are a group that fights together and a family, and I hope we show this. There’s just over eight million people in Switzerland, so we aren’t a big country, but we know the target, and I hope we can do something special,” Xhaka added.
Roefs' Dream Debut
For Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs, being at his first major tournament with the Netherlands is a dream come true after a standout debut season on Wearside. The 23-year-old's rapid rise has been fueled by his Premier League exposure.
“It’s a huge thing for me and something I have dreamt of since I was a kid,” Roefs said. “I have watched so many games of the national team during the World Cup and the Euros in the past with my friends and family, so for me to be a part of it now is amazing. It’s been a crazy 18 months for me. Everything has gone so quickly, and until recently, I would never have even thought about going to the World Cup.”
The Netherlands are in Group F with Sweden, Japan, and Tunisia, and Roefs is eager to contribute to a memorable tournament run. He secured his first senior call-up less than a year ago, and his 10 Premier League clean sheets for Sunderland helped the club qualify for Europe.
Roefs credited Sunderland for his development: “It was a really nice first season with Sunderland. I settled in really well, and I was happy with the trust I got from everyone at the club and the supporters.”
