Here’s a look at some of the key issues ahead of the match.
Who gets the gloves?
Gareth Southgate has yet to name his number one for the tournament but, with the vastly-experienced Joe Hart now jettisoned, time is running short to let his preferred candidate settle in the side.
Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland are thought to be in a head-to-head battle in front of the uncapped Nick Pope and whoever starts this game must be in pole position.
The pair have played just nine England matches between them – Butland responsible for seven of those – meaning now is no time to play coy over the final selection.
Is England’s starting keeper role Jack Butland’s to lose?
Captain Kane
Having rotated the armband throughout his tenure, Southgate has settled on Harry Kane for the tournament, edging out the claims of Liverpool‘s Jordan Henderson.
He has scored five times in his four previous outings as skipper, suggesting he is not weighed down by the role, but now would be the perfect time for a classic ‘captain’s performance’.
Kane will be the figurehead and focal point in Russia so it is vital he arrives in good form.
Captain Kane is ready to lead England – and says the World Cup is the goal.
Chances to impress
The staggered ending to the season means workload and fatigue are likely to figure high in team selection.
Liverpool pair Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold will play no part having been granted time off following the Champions League, while the FA Cup finalists from Manchester United and Chelsea may be treated with kid gloves after their own extra exertions.
That could mean opportunity knocks for other members of the squad who have found themselves further down the pecking order in previous get togethers.
The rest of England’s squad will have a chance to impress.
Sterling in the spotlight
In Raheem Sterling, England have a versatile, Premier League title-winning player coming off the back of his most prolific season in front of goal. Everything should be pointing towards a defining summer with the national team.
But the front-page treatment of the gun tattoo on his right leg has once again weighed the talented forward down with unconnected criticisms.
How much the row has affected him, or otherwise, may become apparent over 90 minutes.
Raheem Sterling has been in the harsh glare of the media spotlight.
Tunisia tips
The age old policy of arranging friendlies who are geographically close to tournament opponents continues to be rolled out around the globe – see Panama lining up Northern Ireland as their Three Lions proxies earlier this week.
Nigeria, therefore, represent stand-ins for England’s Group G African opponents Tunisia. Expect to see some hints about Southgate’s proposed tactics for that tournament curtain-raiser, in terms of tactics, system and style.
Nigeria will pose a tough test for England.
