Sunderland AFC will face Wrexham AFC in a pre-season friendly, but Granit Xhaka and Thomas Meunier will miss the match due to their participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Black Cats are looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses in their last two games, but they will have to do it without two key players. Granit Xhaka helped the Switzerland national football team reach the quarterfinals, while Thomas Meunier was an important part of the Belgian Red Devils.
What happened?
Sunderland AFC will face Wrexham AFC in a pre-season friendly at Subaru Park in the United States of America. The match will take place on August 2, and it will be a great opportunity for the Black Cats to test their skills against a strong opponent.
Why it matters for Sunderland
The match against Wrexham AFC will be a crucial test for Sunderland AFC as they prepare for the upcoming season. The Black Cats will have to rely on their young players to fill the gap left by Xhaka and Meunier. Brian Brobbey is expected to start for the club, and he is coming in after dropping eye-catchy performances at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
What comes next?
Sunderland AFC will have to regroup and focus on their next match, which will be against Chelsea at home on November 7. The Black Cats are currently 31 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table, and they will need to win their next few matches to close the gap.
Sunderland AFC are currently 7th in the Premier League table, with 54 points from 38 games. They have scored 42 goals and conceded 48 goals, and they will need to improve their defense if they want to challenge for the title. The Black Cats will face a tough schedule in the upcoming season, but they have the potential to make a deep run in the competition.
