Wrexham A.F.C. will take on Sunderland in a pre-season friendly at Subaru Park in the United States without two key players: Granit Xhaka and Thomas Meunier. The Championship side, who finished 7th in the 2025 table with 71 points (19W-14D-13L), are preparing for the 2026-27 season, but the Swiss and Belgian stars will miss the clash due to their involvement in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Why are Xhaka and Meunier absent?
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Meunier, who played pivotal roles for Switzerland and Belgium respectively at the World Cup, have not traveled with Sunderland’s squad. Xhaka, Sunderland’s midfield engine, helped Switzerland reach the quarterfinals, while Meunier was a key figure for Belgium. Both players are still recovering from their deep runs in the tournament.
How will their absence impact Sunderland?
Sunderland, who lost their last two pre-season games to Liverpool (2-4) and Leeds United (0-1), will need to adjust their lineup. Noah Sadiki is expected to replace Xhaka in midfield, while Meunier, a recent signing, is yet to make his debut. The Black Cats will rely on Brian Brobbey, who impressed at the World Cup, to lead their attack.
When and where to watch the match
The friendly will kick off at Subaru Park on August 2. Fans can stream the game live on SAFC Live and Wrexham A.F.C.’s official website, wrexhamafc.co.uk. This will be the seventh meeting between the two sides, with Wrexham looking to build momentum ahead of the new Championship season.
