If you’re a Black Cats fan you’re probably thinking this break came at just the right time for Regis Le Bris’ squad, but a handful of Sunderland players on international duty have no time to rest right now.
After that 3-0 defeat against Coventry City at the weekend, most Sunderland fans are happy to put the debacle behind them and forget about football for a couple of weeks during this international break.
Regis Le Bris outlined the importance of this rest period as an opportunity for Sunderland to reset and get back to their best for the final run-in heading into the play-offs.
However, there’s no rest at all for some of the top players in the Sunderland squad, with international duty calling for nine of the Mackems’ best.
Here’s the lowdown on all the Sunderland players on international duty over the next fortnight.
Chris Mepham – Wales
While he was part of the Wales squads back in September, October, and November, Chris Mepham only played 90 minutes and made one appearance, after serving a one-match suspension and sitting on the bench for the other four games.
He will be looking to prove his worth to the Dragons once more this time around in the following games:
- Wales vs Kazakhstan, 2026 World Cup Qualifiers – Saturday 22 March, 7.45pm (Cardiff City Stadium)
- North Macedonia vs Wales, 2026 World Cup Qualifiers – Tuesday 25th March, 7.45pm (Tose Proeski Arena)
Trai Hume – Northern Ireland
Trai Hume has been almost ever-present for the Black Cats this season, and after a productive campaign that has seen him register one goal and six assists, the 23-year-old has really started to establish himself at international level with Northern Ireland.
The full-back will look to add to his 19 caps in the following fixtures:
- Northern Ireland vs Switzerland, Friendly – Friday 21st March, 7.45pm (Windsor Park)
- Sweden vs Northern Ireland, Friendly – Tuesday 25th March, 6pm (Strawberry Arena)
Jobe Bellingham – England Under 21s
Jobe Bellingham’s spectacular rise continues as he gets another opportunity to impress with the England Under-21s squad this month.
He was initially joined by Sunderland teammate Dennis Cirkin who was rewarded for a brilliant campaign at club level with his first call-up to the Under-21s, but the defender picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat to Coventry.
Watch Jobe in action in the following games:
- France Under-21s vs England Under-21s, Friendly – Friday 21st March, 8pm (Stade de Moustoir)
- England Under-21s vs Portugal Under-21s – Monday 24th March, 7.45pm (The Hawthorns)
Chris Rigg – England Under 19s
Another player continuing his evolution through the England youth setup is Chris Rigg, who can make his England Under-19s debut this month.
There are three games in which the 17-year-old could make his mark:
- Wales Under-19s vs England Under-19s – Wednesday 19th March, 7pm (Nantporth)
- England Under-19s vs Turkey Under-19s – Saturday 22nd March, 11am (Deeside College Stadium)
- England Under-19s vs Portugal Under-19s – Tuesday 25th March, 7pm (Deeside College Stadium)
Eliezer Mayenda – Spain Under-21s
Fans have wanted to see it for a while, and Eliezer Mayenda finally got the call from Spain’s Under-21 setup for this international break. The young striker has been in top form for Sunderland, with four goals in his last four games.
Find out if Mayenda gets his golden opportunity for Spain in the following games:
- Spain Under-21s vs Czech Republic Under-21s – Friday 21st March, 6.30pm (Estadio Francisco Artes Carrasco)
- Germany Under-21s vs Spain Under-21s – Tuesday 25th March, 7.30pm (Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor)
Milan Aleksic – Serbia Under-21s
While Milan Aleksic isn’t getting much action for Sunderland, he is still in the international setup for Serbia’s Under-21 squad. He will be hoping to impress both club and country in the following fixtures:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Under-21s vs Serbia Under-21s – Friday 21st March
- Georgia Under-21s vs Serbia Under-21s – Tuesday 25th March
Nectarios Triantis – Australia
He may not be at the club currently, but Nectarios Triantis is one Sunderland player on international duty this month that you may want to keep a close eye on.
This is his first call-up for Australia, and it’s not surprising he’s involved. Triantis has been thriving at Hibernian this season, and could well have a part to play on Wearside next season at this rate.
Catch him in action for Australia in these games:
- Australia vs Indonesia, 2026 World Cup Qualifier – Thursday 20th March, 9.10am (Allianz Stadium)
- China vs Australia, 2026 World Cup Qualifier – Tuesday 25th March, 11am (Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium)
Matty Young – England Men’s Elite
It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Matty Young, who is on loan at Salford City. He started the season not getting a look in, then went on a brilliant run of form, before being dropped again.
Regardless, he’s been included in the England Men’s Elite squad, with the following fixtures:
- Portugal Under-20s vs England Mens Elite – Friday 21st March, 4pm (Estadio Dr Maghlhaes Pessoa)
- England Mens Elite vs Switzerland Under-20s – Monday 24th March, 7pm (Marbella Football Centre)
Rhys Walsh – Northern Ireland Under-21s
Young Sunderland talent Rhys Walsh has earned his first call-up to the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad this month, and has the following three games in which to try and make an impact:
- Northern Ireland Under-21s vs Moldova Under-21s – Thursday 20 March, 4pm (Cornelia Sport Centre Belek)
- Northern Ireland Under-21s vs Ukraine Under-20s – Saturday 22 March, 5pm (Bellis Deluxe Centre Belek)
- Northern Ireland Under-21s vs Uzbekistan Under-21s – Tuesday 25 March, 5pm (Bellis Deluxe Centre Belek)