A Lion vs an Elephant - both from Burnley.

In 19 matches, France have only lost once - on penalties in the last 16 of Euro 2020 against Switzerland - and entertain South Africa at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille in a friendly tonight.

The French side includes Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, Aston Villa wing-back Lucas Digne and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.

Goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Alphonse Areola, of Tottenham and West Ham respectively, along with Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, are among the substitutes.

Reigning World champions France have qualified for the Qatar World Cup, but South Africa missed out, eliminated in the group phase of African qualifying.

Jonathan Woodgate
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Ivory Coast have some top players - Kessie who is at AC Milan and could be going to Barcelona. Cornet, Pepe, Gradel. They are a strong team and will pose different questions to England.

Here come the teams. Raheem Sterling has the captain's armband on for England tonight.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Wembley

Wembley is nowhere near full for the visit of Ivory Coast but those inside still get a decent light show before kick-off and the stadium is illuminated by plenty of phone torches.

All set for kick-off.

Jonathan Woodgate
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is important when building a team and a squad going into the World Cup that they know different systems and don't get stuck with Plan A - Gareth Southgate is doing that, he is going to look how at Jude Bellingham performs and if Ollie Watkins can be Harry Kane's understudy, if Ben White can play right-back.

When England were beaten on penalties in the European Championships final last summer, the abuse was instantaneous.

Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, who had penalties saved, and Marcus Rashford, who missed his effort, were subjected to a torrent of hate-filled messages on social media.

At the time, the racist abuse directed at England's black players was the most high profile, ugly example of it.

A 12-year-old boy who sent racist messages to Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Zaha received education sessions "as part of the restorative justice process".

That education was delivered by anti-discrimination charity Kick it Out and is one programme that authorities are turning to, to tackle abuse.

Read the full story here.

England

England manager Gareth Southgate to Sky Sports: "There are individuals who have a point to prove. The camp has been really important for us. We haven't seen the players since November. We need that tactical reminder and time on the training pitch.

"[Raheem Sterling] is the most senior player in the starting line-up. He is a quiet leader. He is exceptionally good at making young players feel welcome. It's a quality we noticed outside of the camp.

"We know the only way to answer questions is on the pitch. That's the challenge for Harry [Maguire] and everyone else.

"As much as we want players to feel at ease and comfortable, they know these are big moments.

"I spoke to Tyrick Mitchell last week and explained to him that I thought we could get him a start. It's an added bonus for him from a week ago that he now gets to play at Wembley."

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta and Manchester City centre-half Aymeric Laporte both start for Spain in their friendly against Iceland tonight at the Estadio Riazor, home of Deportivo La Coruna.

There is plenty of Premier League interest on the bench as well with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso and Manchester City midfielder Rodri among their substitutes.

Image source, Getty Images

Spain are among those who have qualified for the 2022 World Cup, but Iceland missed out after they finished fifth in Qualifying Group J - only winning two of 10 matches.

Bolton Wanderers forward Jon Bodvarsson is in their starting XI tonight.

Gareth Southgate on the squad depth for England: "Whenever we bring players into the squad, it is great to see how they cope.

"Sometimes, it isn't about the opposition quality, although [against Switzerland] that was high. Sometimes, it is about the weight of an England shirt and whether they can cope.

"I hope we have an environment where all the players feel comfortable and can be the best version of themselves in. A lot of that is down to the environment they have created.

"We have super characters; when younger players come in, the older ones are sitting with them at meal times, helping them feel relaxed and at ease."

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

That air of relief and ability to go out and play with not having the shirt weigh you down, it feels like that Manchester United shirt is weighing them down. You will hear the same moans every game on your back, week after week, and it will get to you.

All of a sudden you come away with England to a manager who cares about you.

Image source, Getty Images

Ivory Coast go into their first ever game against England having narrowly lost 2-1 to world champions France, courtesy of an injury-time Aurelien Tchouameni goal on Friday.

They suffered an early exit in the recent Africa Cup of Nations, failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in Qatar and have recorded just one win in their last five friendlies.

However, their squad includes a number of players with Premier League experience including Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe and Maxwell Cornet of Burnley.

Wolves' Willy Boly, Manchester United's Eric Bailly and ex-Tottenham full-back Serge Aurier.

Crystal Palace forward Wilfred Zaha is a key player for them too but he isn't in the squad tonight after missing training yesterday.

Jonathan Woodgate
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

When they come away to this environment Gareth Southgate has created, it is just so different, you can see it in the players' performances.

I can bet any amount of money Harry Maguire is looking for the next international break 'when is it? when is it? I just want to get away from Manchester, get away from that cauldron of expectation and put the England shirt on'.

Southgate is definitely trusting in Harry Maguire. He has that love from his manager.

Image source, Getty Images

Gareth Southgate has made wholesale changes for tonight's game at Wembley but he said it was "the right thing to do" to keep the players' confidence high.

"We want to keep all of the squad involved. I think that has been a strength for us. Players who come in perform well at the level and the team march on.

"They need to feel that we've got the confidence in them to go into any game and we're also at a stage of the season where their load is heavy and we've got to make sure we try and navigate that in the best way possible."

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle to Sky Sports: "We are so excited to play this historic game against the Three Lions here at Wembley.

"We did a good job against France so we can do the same performance but maybe with a better result.

"I can see in the two years since I have been here that we have improved a lot. We just have to continue and get those opportunities to build in the game."

Image source, Getty Images

In England, memories of the 1986 World Cup centre around Diego Maradona, the 'Hand of God' and the wonder goal he scored for Argentina in that quarter-final win en route to lifting the trophy.

Canadian memories of that tournament in Mexico are somewhat different.

Three games, no points, no goals. At least they got there, though.

Until now, 1986 remained the only time Canada had qualified for a World Cup.

This year's landmark achievement has come under the guidance of John Herdman, the English coach who led the Canadian women's team to successive bronze medal Olympic Games finishes in 2012 and 2016.

Read more here.

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is great for Nick Pope, he struggled at the start of the season for Burnley. He was injured and then out of form.

He has managed to get himself back in form. It is an important game for him, with the World Cup in sight and Aaron Ramsdale coming into the fold, it is one of those games you can see yourself out of favour rather than playing your way in.

Lots of big opportunities for some England players tonight.

Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire has been backed by Gareth Southgate despite his poor form.

He says there is "no doubt" that Maguire is "capable of playing at the highest level".

Just the three Chelsea players starting for Germany in the heavyweight friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

Antonio Rudiger, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz will be looking to make it nine wins out of nine since Hansi Flick took charge. Ilkay Gundogan also starts for the visitors.

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is starting for the Netherlands. Norwich keeper Tim Krul is on the bench along with Manchester City's Nathan Ake and Tottenham's Steven Bergwijn.

Former Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure on Sky Sports: "It's fantastic. I'm very surprised to find out this is the first time we are playing England.

"I'm looking forward to it. I hope my fellow brothers do us proud. Ivory Coast has always had talent but we have struggled to qualify for the World Cup.

"We just have to make sure we put everything together to try to compete and win important games."