Both sides have key absences but England hope to learn from going toe-to-toe with Emma Hayes’s resurgent side

The prospect of the European champions hosting the Olympic champions induces sufficient intrigue on its own. But add in the triumphant return to Wembley of Emma Hayes, and an England side with plenty to improve on after losing to Germany last time they played at the national stadium, and this is much more than a friendly between the top-ranked sides in the world.

For an England team hoping to retain their title at next summer’s Euros in Switzerland, there is no greater yardstick than to test themselves against the USA, who are ranked No 1 and have appeared fully rejuvenated since Hayes left Chelsea to take charge in May.