Rob McElhenney hails Sunderland before pre-season friendly in Philadelphia | OneFootball

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has paid tribute to Sunderland, saying it will be an honour to face them in the United States this summer.

Sunderland have confirmed a stateside tour ahead of the 2026/27 season. The squad will spend a week in Nashville, finishing with a meeting with reigning Premier League champions Liverpool at Geodis Park on Saturday 25 July, then head to Harrison, New Jersey, to face Leeds United at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Thursday 30 July, before concluding against Wrexham at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Sunday 2 August.

McElhenney appeared on the commentary gantry alongside fellow co-owner Ryan Reynolds during Wrexham’s 2-0 Championship win over Swansea City on Friday evening, where he expressed admiration for the Black Cats.

He praised the Sunderland Til’ I Die documentary, described playing them in Philadelphia as an honour, and recalled backing them in the play-offs, delighted by their promotion last year which he felt they deserved.

At the time of writing, Wrexham could yet join Sunderland in the Premier League next term. The Championship side have enjoyed three successive promotions under former Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson and sit sixth after winning four of their last five league matches, leaving them well placed for a play-off spot.

Source: Sunderland Echo