Xhaka, Ballard, Adingra: Sunderland AFC players on the international stage
Sunderland AFC have had 13 first team players out on international break this October with a lot of success across the board, including Granit Xhaka, Dan Ballard, Trai Hume and Simon Adingra.
Captain Granit Xhaka enjoyed a successful time away with Switzerland. He captained his nation in both games and scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win vs Sweden, earning himself Player of the Match. The Sunderland captain also played 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw vs Slovenia, earning his nation a valuable point in their quest to gain World Cup qualification.
Reinildo Mandava had personal success in Mozambique’s 2-1 loss vs Guinea in which he scored the only goal for his side. In their second game of the break, Mozambique were victorious against Somalia in a 1-0 win.
Winger Chemsdine Talbi continued to gain international experience – making his second senior appearance for Morocco with an appearance off the bench against Bahrain in a friendly.
Dan Ballard started both matches for Northern Ireland against Slovakia and Germany. The centre-back kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win vs Slovakia, before the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final hero also won Player of the Match for his side in a tight 1-0 loss to Germany, where he had a goal disallowed early on in the first half.
Fellow Northern Irishman, Trai Hume, also had a positive international break as he scored his first international goal in his side’s 2-0 win vs Slovakia. Hume also captained his side in a 1-0 loss to Germany, further establishing his leadership role for his nation.
Cool as you like!
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) October 10, 2025
Trai Hume adds a second for Northern Ireland!#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/DOVc1yi3fs
Midfield man Noah Sadiki did not make an appearance for DR Congo as he picked up a potential ankle injury, sidelining him for the break.
Arthur Masuaku kept two clean sheets for his nation, as he played every minute in both 1-0 wins for DR Congo against Togo and Sudan.
Simon Adingra came off the bench for Ivory Coast in a 7-0 win against Seychelles where the winger enjoyed a goal and an assist. Adingra also came off the bench against Kenya, gaining another cap.
Summer recruit Omar Alderete played in both of Paraguay’s games, where he played 90 minutes vs Japan in a 2-2 draw. The defender was forced off late in his match against South Korea, due to a potential muscle issue.
Equipo ✅
— Selección Paraguaya (@Albirroja) October 10, 2025
Los 11 elegidos por el DT Gustavo Alfaro para el encuentro ante Japón
⚽ Amistoso – Fecha FIFA
07:20 h
️ Estadio Panasonic Suita de Osaka
@TigoSportsPY | APP APF TV [https://t.co/tgAPYt1Z3u]#VamosParaguay pic.twitter.com/DgVWLwbfaC
Bertrand Traore had a successful international break with Burkina Faso as they won games against Sierra Leone, where the winger registered an assist, and Ethiopia whilst also captaining the side.
Goalkeeper Robin Roefs earned another international call-up for Holland after an impressive start to the season with Sunderland. Roefs did not make an appearance during the break, but he keeps building his international experience.
Eliezer Mayenda received another call-up for Spain’s Under-21s. The striker played in both games, scoring an equaliser at the death vs Finland Under-21s, just before Spain scored again to win the game 2-1.
Chris Rigg captained England Under-19s in their 4-1 win vs Belgium and scored from the bench in a 7-0 win vs Wales, further proving his talent on the international stage.
