England and Germany players will wear black armbands bearing poppies for Friday’s friendly at Wembley. The Football Association and German Football Association (DFB) confirmed on Wednesday that both teams will wear them in remembrance of members of the armed forces, past and present.

Last year, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were fined by Fifa for displaying poppies as part of the Armistice Day commemorations, the world governing body having considered it a political symbol. However after the rules were revised in September, the four home nations said it was their intention to request permission from their opponents and Fifa to wear poppies during their games in the days before and on Remembrance Sunday.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also be wearing armbands bearing poppies for their international fixtures.

Martin Glenn, the FA chief executive, said: “Remembering and commemorating the men and women who have served this country is ingrained in our nation. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice and we will be honouring them, both on and off the pitch, for our match against Germany. I would like to thank the German Football Association for also agreeing to wear the poppy for the match, in a show of solidarity and unity at this important time.”

Reinhard Grindel, the DFB president, said: “I positively welcome the decision to allow both the English and the German national teams to wear poppy armbands, because these are not about political propaganda in any way. They’re about remembering the kind of values that were kicked to the ground in two world wars but are cherished by football: respect, tolerance, and humanity.”

A replica of the Truce statue, which depicts the first world war ceasefire when peace and games of football broke out between English and German troops on Christmas Day in 1914, will also be on temporary display beside the Bobby Moore statue at Wembley.