How many international caps do the current crop of Sunderland players have?
There is arguably no bigger honour in football than representing your country, and a whole host of Sunderland players are about to do just that.
The international break is here again, offering clubs a chance to pause their hectic schedules and take stock, while their very best players jet off to play for their national teams. In this window, Sunderland players will see international action through the likes of Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor - the former being recalled by the Netherlands and the latter getting his first call-up for Haiti after switching allegiances from France.
Granit Xhaka will captain the Switzerland national team, while the likes of Noah Sadiki, Dan Ballard and Trai Hume will all see action - the former in a crucial World Cup intercontinental qualifier against either New Caledonia or Jamaica. With the Stadium of Light emptying as key figures jet across the globe, that got us thinking about the pedigree of the current squad. So, read on as we rank Regis Le Bris’ players by the number of senior international caps they’ve picked up to date.
12. Chemsdine Talbi - 3 caps (Morocco)
Talbi actually represented Belgium at youth level, picking up caps for their U15, U17 and U18 sides. However, the winger was called up by Morocco in March 2025 and has since picked up three caps. He’s set to increase that figure after being named in the squad to face Ecuador and Paraguay in friendlies this month.
11. Brian Brobbey - 8 caps (Netherlands)
The last of Brobbey’s eight Netherlands caps came in March 2025, with his prolific time at Ajax fuelling his national team career so far. However, he’s shown some strong form for Sunderland in the second half of the season, not least in scoring the winner against arch-rivals Newcastle at the weekend. He’s earned a recall for this window as a result.
10. Nilson Angulo - 12 caps (Ecuador)
Angulo is still very much finding his feet as a Sunderland player, but he’s already well-versed at national team level, with 12 caps and one goal for Ecuador. He could face Talbi and Brobbey as La Tri take on Morocco and the Netherlands in friendlies this month.
9. Habib Diarra - 17 caps (Senegal)
Diarra is still relatively inexperienced at international level, picking up 17 caps for Senegal since his 2024 debut. Before that, he’d represented France from U16 to U21 level. Sunderland’s record signing has great pedigree, though, scoring four times for the Lions of Teranga and winning the latest Africa Cup of Nations - though, of course, Senegal are currently stripped of that particular title.
8. Noah Sadiki - 17 caps (DR Congo)
Sadiki has the same number of caps as his Sunderland midfield comrade, but for the DR Congo. He offers the same level of energy for his country as he does his club, and will be key as they battle to make the World Cup in this window.
7. Lutsharel Geertruida - 19 caps (Netherlands)
Geertruida’s versatility makes him a national team manager’s dream, and that’s really benefited him. He’s been a regular call-up for the Netherlands over the last few years, regardless of what his club situation has been, picking up 19 caps to date.
6. Trai Hume - 28 caps (Northern Ireland)
Hume has been through it all with Sunderland, playing for them in League One, right up to the Premier League. The talented right-back is now on 27 caps for Northern Ireland as one of the first names on the teamsheet, and he scored his first goal for his country in October to help deliver a 2-0 win over Slovakia. Hume has worn the captain’s armband in five of his last seven international appearances.
5. Dan Ballard - 33 caps (Northern Ireland)
Just ahead of Hume for Northern Ireland is Ballard, who has 33 caps to his name. Just as he is for Sunderland, Ballard is a massive set-piece threat for the Green and White Army, netting five goals so far.
4. Omar Alderete - 33 caps (Paraguay)
Alderete was already a key figure for Paraguay before he joined Sunderland, but he’s picked up another four caps since then and will be indispensable to them at the World Cup this summer.
3. Reinildo Mandava - 48 caps (Mozambique)
Reinildo made his Mozambique debut way back in 2013 and now stands on 48 caps. He’s easily one of the most high-profile players in their squad right now, and despite his age, will be looking to climb the ladder on their all-time caps list.
2. Bertrand Traore - 86 caps (Burkina Faso)
Traore is one of, if not the greatest player Burkina Faso have ever produced. The dynamic winger has 21 goals and 11 assists to his name to date, and has played for them 22 times at Afcon, registering five goals and three assists along the way. He’ll have his eyes firmly set on Moumouni Dagano’s 34-goal national team record.
1. Granit Xhaka - 143 caps (Switzerland)
It’s absolutely no surprise to see Xhaka top this list, but the sheer amount of caps he’s picked up for Switzerland is stunning. The midfielder has represented his country at six major tournaments so far, split evenly between World Cups and European Championships. Xhaka has two goals and an assist combined at those tournaments, too, alongside further exploits in the Uefa Nations League, qualifiers and friendlies.
Xhaka - who has been an inspired signing for Sunderland - is probably the greatest player in Swiss national team history and their record appearance holder. He’s also joint-76th for all-time national team appearances, joining the likes of Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez on 143 caps.
Continue Reading