Read our 2026/27 season preview for Sunderland as the Black Cats try to build on their impressive first campaign back in the big time.
Regis Le Bris guided his men to a seventh-place Premier League finish, just one season after earning promotion via the Championship play-offs.
As a result of their exploits, the Stadium of Light will play host to Europa League action.
Key question
Do Sunderland have the squad to cope with a European campaign?
Although they spent – and spent extremely well -- last summer’s recruitment on Wearside was geared towards achieving Premier League safety, with even the most ambitious Mackem surely sceptical about securing European football.
Whilst Europa League action is obviously a fantastic thing to have at the club, their bloated fixture list could seriously hamper their performances in the league.
It’s not a problem unique to Sunderland; we’ve seen Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur all suffer huge drop-offs in the Premier League as a direct consequence of the strain that European football can put on the players.
A glance at the numbers will tell you that Sunderland possess a decent-sized squad when compared to the rest of the league, however, a lot of these are returning loan players that are unlikely to feature heavily in Le Bris’ plans.
Numbers are needed at the Stadium of Light if they want to handle the added pressures brought on by a European campaign.
Key transfer
Thomas Meunier
By virtue of being their sole incoming at the time of writing, there is no option other than to name Thomas Meunier as Sunderland’s key signing.
The 34-year-old is probably a decent pick up for the Black Cats, too. Notable spells with both Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund sees Meunier arrive on Wearside with a plethora of experience in European competition.
An important part of PSG’s run to the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League final, the Belgium international has played more than 40 UEFA Champions League matches and provides some much-needed know-how as the Stadium Of Light plays host to Europa League football.
Maybe more important than the capture of Meunier, is that Granit Xhaka remains at the club.
Xhaka, along with goalkeeper Robin Roefs, were pivotal arrivals last summer and Mackems will be relieved that they have managed to keep a hold of their captain, amid significant interest from Chelsea.
Breakout star
Nilson Angulo
Eyebrows across Europe were raised when Sunderland moved first to secure the services of talented Ecuadorian winger Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht and 2026/27 could be when they start to reap the rewards of their savvy recruitment.
We’ve been here before with the Black Cats. Following promotion to the Premier League, Chemsdine Talbi and Noah Sadiki were brought over from Belgium to the north east of England for good money; both playing vital roles in securing Europa League football on Wearside.
This summer, Angulo featured four times for Ecuador at the World Cup, impressing with eye-catching performances from the bench to earn back-to-back starts before his side were eliminated. In the final group stage fixture, the 23-year-old scored a fantastic goal during Ecuador’s historic 2-1 win against Germany to secure a place in the knockout stages.
Quick, athletic and direct - Angulo is an absolute nightmare for defenders. He is a constant threat in behind, using his speed and elite dribbling ability to consistently challenge his man.
Not just style over substance, at such a young age, Angulo has shown that he can be decisive in the final third, too. He netted six times, as well as laying on five assists in 22 Belgian Pro League starts before sealing his big money move to the Premier League and with experience there should be more to come.
What is a good season?
Mid-table finish; Europa League last eight
Sunderland fans would snap your hand off if offered a mid-table Premier League finish and a European quarter-final tie next season.
It’s important to remain realistic – hard to do when a football fan – after experiencing such a fantastic return to the top-flight, but that far exceeded the expectations of fans and neutrals alike.
Captain Granit Xhaka appears to be staying put for now and this is a major boost for their prospects in 2026/27 given just how pivotal a role he played during his maiden campaign in the north east. Although, given he turns 34 in late September, it's worth saying that his best days are more than likely behind him.
Bold prediction
The Black Cats will battle with the drop
As previously mentioned, it is so important to not to understate the impact that a bloated schedule has on a squad of players, especially when expected to perform at the elite level.
Le Bris' men had 42 matches to contend with in all competitions last season, a number that will rise to a minimum of 46 this time around, even if they fall at the first hurdle in both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.
The newly-promoted sides will have a huge battle on their hands to retain their Premier League status and are rightful favourites to fall foul of the drop, however, Sunderland themselves proved that it is possible to stay in the top-flight with the help of some smart spending.
Should one of either Coventry, Ipswich and Hull get it right in the transfer market, then Sunderland could potentially have a battle for survival on their hands.
Will they be better than last season?
No.
The record of Premier League teams in Europe in recent years suggests that Sunderland could go fairly deep in the Europa League.
This would of course be great – ask any Aston Villa, Crystal Palace or Nottingham Forest fan – but it will come at a cost.
Whilst they were great last season, the Black Cats outperformed their expected points numbers considerably and there is a good chance that teams such as Chelsea and Tottenham may improve past them in terms of league position.
Brian Brobbey was their top goalscorer in the league with seven and, whilst others chipped in, that return might not be good enough to fire Sunderland to back-to-back top seven finishes.
