‘Astonishing’ Sunderland turnaround as they pip Newcastle United in World Cup representation | OneFootball

Sunderland will be strongly represented at this summer's World Cup, an astonishing turnaround that sees them finish above Newcastle United in player involvement.

According to Sunderland Echo, research from a Premier League ticket website ranks the Black Cats above their rivals for World Cup call-ups this summer.

Four years ago, before Qatar 2022, Sunderland were in their fourth straight League One season. Bailey Wright was the only squad member to go, making one substitute appearance for Australia against Denmark in the final group game.

This time the club have eight World Cup players: Robin Roefs and Brian Brobbey for the Netherlands, Wilson Isidor for Haiti, Noah Sadiki for DR Congo, Granit Xhaka for Switzerland, Chemsdine Talbi for Morocco, Omar Aldarete for Paraguay, and Habib Diarra for Senegal.

Xhaka is set for his fourth World Cup. Only six players have ever appeared at five, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lothar Matthäus, Antonio Carbajal, Rafael Marquez and Andrés Guardado, and if featured this summer Messi and Ronaldo would reach their sixth, with three of that six from Mexico.

The study ranks Manchester City first with 18 call-ups, ahead of Arsenal on 15, with Manchester United and Crystal Palace on 12, Liverpool 11 and Aston Villa 9. Sunderland sit joint seventh on eight with Brighton.

Source: Sunderland Echo