For the first time in England history, the team shirt will carry a special anti-racist message and feature the logo of "Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football", the campaign that is funded by English football.

Meanwhile, members of the Official England Supporters Club, englandfans, will volunteer to distribute thousands of special cards which will form a giant anti-racist message when held aloft by the fans during the national anthem.

This is the latest action in a sustained, two-year campaign by The FA and the England Team against racism, which included the squad training in "Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football" T-shirts before their last game, against Spain.

England Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson explained: "The players and the fans will be sending the same message: racism is wrong and has no place in football. The players are always very proud to wear the England shirt, but this time, it will have even more significance."

Piara Powar of Kick It Out, who run the "Let's Kick Racism Out of Football" campaign said: "This is the latest in a series of initiatives the England Team have been involved in and both they and The FA deserve credit.

"As recent events have shown, racism has not gone away, we cannot afford to be complacent. There can be no more powerful statement than the England players' demonstration of their support during the game."