And now the USA team is in too.

Starting XI: Harris; Krieger, Engen, Sauerbrunn, Klingenberg; Press, Brian, Holiday, Lloyd; Morgan, Wambach.

So Abby Wambach starts up top as expected. If there was ever a name to strike fear into the heart of an international centre-back, surely it would be hers...

...but the legal challenge was abandoned in January, with those involved claiming "a positive impact" would be had nonetheless.

"The deplorable artificial surface at BC Place, the site of the final, will be replaced. Goalline technology will be used for the first time in a women's World Cup and we know that the 2019 World Cup will be held on grass," the players' attorney Hampton Dellinger said.

Meanwhile, over the course of his failed campaign to run for the Fifa presidency, former Newcastle and Tottenham winger David Ginola said he would like to see the women's World Cup held at the same time as the men's.

We'd love to hear what you've made of all this. As ever you can get in touch using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 8111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Image source, Getty Images

Before we get into the nitty-gritty then, it's worth a look back at some of the controversies surrounding this summer's World Cup.

Back in October leading players filed a lawsuit claiming sexual discrimination over the decision to use synthetic pitches instead of grass at the event. Players argued that the women's tournament should be played on similar surfaces to the men, and that synthetic pitches would increase the danger of injuries...

England defender Alex Scott:, external "This national anthem is for you @kelly_smith10 .... One last time."

We'd love to hear from you tonight.

Maybe you've got an opinion on the controversies surrounding this summer's World Cup in Canada - a recap to come on those later.

Would you like to see the women's and men's World Cups held at the same time? Or perhaps you've just got a prediction for tonight's game?

Get in touch using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 8111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Image source, Getty Images

One face missing from the England squad altogether is striker Kelly Smith, who announced her international retirement earlier this month.

The 36-year-old forward won 117 caps and scored 46 goals in an England career that lasted almost 20 years.

She made her debut in 1995 and has played in two World Cups and four European Championships, as well as for Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics.

"Playing for England has been such an important part of my life for so long, but I feel now is the right time for me to retire," Smith said."Women's football has changed so much since I started playing and I am proud to have been a part of that."

The England team is in. Manager Mark Sampson has made five changes from the side that lost to Germany in November. Jo Potter, Laura Bassett, Jodie Taylor and Francesca Kirby all come in. Lucy Bronze, Eniola Aluko, Lianne Sanderson and Toni Duggan drop out.

England XI: Bardsley, A Scott, Stokes, Potter, Houghton, Bassett, Nobbs, J Scott, Taylor, Kirby, Carney.

Subs: Bonner, Chamberlain, Greenwood, Stoney, Williams, Chapman, Moore, Clarke, Aluko, Telford, Sanderson.

Image source, Getty Images

For the World Cup final in 1999, 90,185 people were in attendance as USA beat China on penalties to lift the trophy for a second time. 1,194,221 tickets were sold for the entire competition.

Five years previously at the same stadium, the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, California 94,194 watched Brazil v Italy in the final of the men's competition.

And on the domestic front the stats tell the same story. Last year the National Women's Soccer League - the top tier of the women's game in United States - had an average attendance of 4,137, with a total of 446,820 for the season.

The average attendance in the Football Association Women's Super League was 719 last season, with a total of 39,519.

This will be the second time in three months England have gone head-to-head with the world's best.

Image source, Getty Images

There were still plenty of reasons to be cheerful despite England losing 3-0 to a Germany side ranked number one in the world in their last outing in November. The friendly match, which was the England women team's first standalone game at Wembley, attracted a record crowd of 45,619.

Over 15,000 tickets have already been sold for the game against the United States. But across the pond the women's game has enjoyed a similarly high profile for some time now...

Image source, Getty Images

The World Cup may still be four months away but the game against the USA is England's last on home soil before this summer's tournament in Canada.

Mark Sampson's side were unbeaten in qualifying and signed off in style with a 10-0 victory over Montenegro in September. This one won't be a walk in the park though. Twice World Cup winners, in 1991 and 1999, USA boast some of the most talented players on the planet and in Abby Wambach have a true legend of the game - more on her later.

England are underdogs then, but who better to test your mettle against than one of the game's superpowers?