The Newcastle United first team squad are now preparing for the 2026/27 season.
Only five weeks to go until the Premier League season kicks off.
Friday 21 August sees Arsenal v Coventry kick things off.
Whilst for Newcastle United it is Liverpool at St James’ Park on Sunday 23 August.
So how is the Newcastle United first team squad shaping up?
This looks to be where we are at…
Goalkeepers
Nick Pope, Ewen Jaouen, Mark Gillespie
Defenders
Tino Livramento, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Ramsey, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley, Sean Steur
Forwards/Wingers
Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, Will Osula, Nick Woltemade, Bazoumana Toure, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Murphy
The numbers are a bit deceptive, a Newcastle United first team squad of 23 players showing above but Mark Gillespie is essentially helping on the coaching side and acting as an emergency third keeper this coming season.
You then have three new young signings two 20-year-olds and an 18-year-old, 30 somethings Nick Pope and Jacob Murphy seemingly set to leave. Plus of course ongoing Bruno Guimaraes rumours.
Then our captain is one of seven of the above who are yet to turn up at the training ground due to extended leave after their World Cup involvement.
A very fluid situation and now Eddie Howe has promoted a number of Under 21s to train with the United first team squad ahead of the new season.
This isn’t unique of course, younger players are often included in pre-season for Eddie Howe to have a look at them, for the young players to get that experience as well, plus making up the numbers in training and practice matches, potentially included in the friendlies as well.
However, this time feels a little different.
I think there are definitely first team squad vacancies that could be filled by existing young players, as well as the ones who have been bought in this summer.
At least seven NUFC Under 21s are now training with the Newcastle United first team squad and I would be amazed if there aren’t at least a couple of them who end up becoming permanent fixtures this season in the first team squad and getting a decent amount of minutes.
Starting with (for me) the most obvious couple of rising young stars coming through:
Sean Neave
Exciting young striker who turned 19 in May, an England Under 18s international and has already made his first team debut.
Leo Shahar
A very similar profile and level of development as Sean Neave, from what I understand. He is a highly rated teenage full-back who turned 19 in March, has already made his first team debut and also an England Under 18 international.
Seung-soo Park
The winger turned 19 in March and has been named in South Korea’s Under-23s squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. This will be played mid-September to early October and he is the youngest member of a South Korea squad who will be aiming to win a gold medal for four successive Games after triumphs in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Dylan Charlton
Having turned 19 in June, he is a defender who primarily plays as a left-back.
Matheos Ferreria
Born in England to Brazilian parents, the winger turned 20 in February.
Anthony Munda
The midfielder will turn 20 in September and is an Under 18s England international.
Trevan Sanusi
Another Under 18s England international, the winger turned 19 in April. He was very unlucky with injuries that wrecked his loan season at Ligue 1 side Lorient. Now fully fit again, along with Shahar and Neave he could be one of the most likely contenders to potentially get a first team squad place the coming season.
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Saturday 18 July 2026
Newcastle United first team squad will play a behind closed doors friendly against National League North side Darlington.
Saturday 25 July 2026
Gateshead v Newcastle United friendly 12.30pm (The first summer NUFC first team friendly to be played in front of fans.)
Wednesday 29 July 2026
Bristol City v Newcastle United friendly 7.30pm
Saturday 8 August 2026
Valencia v Newcastle friendly 9pm local time (8pm UK time)
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Newcastle v Everton pre-season friendly with 5.15pm kick-off at Murrayfield.
Saturday 15 August 2026
Newcastle United v Bayer Leverkusen friendly at St James’ Park, 3pm.
Sunday 16 August 2026
Newcastle United v Strasbourg friendly at St James’ Park, 4pm.
Sunday 23 August 2026
Newcastle v Liverpool 4.30pm – United’s first Premier League match of the season