The 11 Sunderland stars hoping to shine at this summer's World Cup finals

Sunderland’s home win against Chelsea on the final day of the Premier League campaign secured a place in next season’s Europa League and sparked celebrations that will live long in the memory.

For only the second time in their history, the Black Cats will prepare to compete in European competition and that means a big summer lies ahead for the Stadium of Light hierarchy. Their complete focus will be on strengthening Regis Le Bris’ squad as the former Lorient boss prepares to face a hectic schedule with at least eight additional fixtures now on the agenda in the league phase of the Europa League.

However, the same cannot be said of some members of the Sunderland squad as they prepare for action at this summer’s World Cup finals in North America. In a sign of the remarkable upturn in fortunes at the Stadium of Light, 11 current Black Cats stars have been called up for international duty as the world’s attention goes towards the United States, Canada and Mexico for the next seven weeks. But which Sunderland stars will be in action and who will they face in the group stages of the competition?

Granit Xhaka - Switzerland

The talismanic Black Cats skipper will captain Switzerland at the finals as he looks to build on what has been a remarkable first season at the Stadium of Light. The Swiss will face co-hosts Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar in the group stage of the competition and will be confident they can reach the knockout rounds. Xhaka warmed up for the World Cup by scoring from the penalty spot in a friendly against Jordan on Sunday and they round off their preparations with another warm-up game against Australia on Saturday.

Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku - DR Congo

Sadiki and Masuaku experienced contrasting fortunes during their first season at the Stadium of Light. Midfielder Sadiki became a key figure within Regis Le Bris’ side but defender Masuaku struggled to find regular game-time and spent the second half of the season on loan at Ligue 1 club Lens. All focus is now on international duty as DR Congo face Colombia, Portugal and tournament debutants Uzbekistan in Group K.

Wilson Isidor - Haiti

Haiti earned a historic qualification by coming through a group containing Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua and ending a 52-year absence from the finals. Although born in France, Isidor is of Haitian descent and he made his first two appearances at international level in friendlies against Tunisia and Iceland earlier this year, scoring in a 1-1 draw with the latter. Haiti will face Brazil, Scotland and Morocco in the group stage.

Brian Brobbey and Robin Roefs - Netherlands

Both Brobbey and Roefs have enjoyed stellar seasons at the Stadium of Light and have become integral within a Black Cats squad that secured a place in next season’s Europa League. The duo have been named in the Netherlands squad that will face Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in the group stage of this summer’s finals

Habib Diarra - Senegal

Diarra became the Black Cats record signing last summer and he experienced mixed fortunes during his first season on Wearside. However, there is no doubt the midfielder has plenty of talent and he will now hope to impress during this summer’s finals. Senegal have been drawn in Group I and will take on Iraq, Norway and one of the tournament favourites France during the group phase.

Chemsdine Talbi - Morocco

Talbi has provided plenty of eye-catching moments during his first season on Wearside and will now set his sights on taking his Premier League form into the World Cup finals after being named in the Morocco squad. A meeting with the most successful side in World Cup history lies in wait as Talbi’s side have been drawn alongside Brazil in Group C. Scotland and Wilson Isidor’s Haiti are also on the agenda for Morocco.

Omar Alderete - Paraguay

The former Getafe centre-back will be the first Sunderland star to see action at the finals as his Paraguay side face Group D rivals and co-hosts the United States on the second day of the tournament. Alderete has already spoken of a need to head into the tournament with confidence and he will be a key figure as his side also face Australia and Turkey during the group phase.

Nilson Angulo - Ecuador

Angulo has shown flashes of why Sunderland were so keen to land his signature during the early months of his time at the Stadium of Light and he will now hope to impress for his country at this summer’s finals. Angulo’s Ecuador have been handed a tough group as they face Germany, Ivory Coast and World Cup finals newcomers Curacao.

Simon Adingra - Ivory Coast

Adingra spent the second half of last season with Ligue 1 side Monaco after an underwhelming first six months on Wearside - and he will now focus on facing Germany, Curacao and Nilson Angulo’s Ecuador in Group E at this summer’s finals.

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