DIDIER DESCHAMPS, the French national team’s head coach, insisted his players will be prouder than ever to represent their country at Wembley despite reservations within the group about the game with England taking place four days after the terrorist attacks in Paris.

Deschamps spoke of football being a symbol and a “union of diversity” in the wake of 132 people being killed by Islamic State gunmen, including a cousin of Lassana Diarra, one of France's more famous players.

The sister of another player, Antoine Griezmann, only just escaped with her life from the Bataclan theatre, where 89 people died watching a rock concert. Both players have travelled to England.

This is perhaps why some had to be convinced by Noel le Graet, France Football President, that the game should still go ahead.

“We had doubts,” admitted goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. “Play, or not to play? Go back to our loved ones, or stay together? But everything worked out well. We had some concerns but the president confirmed we had to play this game. I, like all my team-mates, respect the president’s decision.”

Deschamps said there was no point in going over a decision that was made on Saturday night and instead wanted to concentrate on what is sure to be an emotional occasion.

“We are here to represent our country, our beautiful colours of red, white and blue, with even more pride than before,” he said. "As a group we are thinking of the victims, their families and friends. In the face of such an atrocity, such barbarianism, it is hard to find words.

“This match does not just have a sporting dimension. Much more than that. We are going to show that we're proud to be French.”

The attacks began outside the Stade de France while France and Germany played one another. When it became clear what had happened, the Germans wanted to remain in the stadium and their French counterparts insisted they would stay with them until their safety was guaranteed.

“We heard noises during the game and while we wondered what it was all about, we had to focus,” said Deschamps. “We didn’t realise until after the game what terrible and disastrous events had occurred both in and around the stadium and in Paris.

"When it became clear that Germany wanted to remain, independently of what were recommended by the French state, police and security service, I approached Joachim Low (the German coach). It was important to stay with them until a solution was found.

“We did not get back to our base until late at night. We tried to eat and we tried to sleep but I can reveal it was difficult to do both of these things. The night was very short before daybreak came around.”

Deschamps had warm words for Diarra who the coach revealed had stayed strong for the group despite losing a close member of his family.

“Lassana put it simply,” he said. “Sport has no colour, sport has no religion. It must always stay that way.”

The whole of Wembley, which has been lit up with the colours of the French flag, is expected to join in with La Marseillaise before the match.

“We will sing as a group and it would be amazing if the English fans sang along,” said Lloris. “That would make it more touching and emotional – even a stronger moment. It would show solidarity.”

Roy Hodgson, the England manager, admitted this will be a first for him in terms of what it means beyond football. "I can't deny there's something hanging over which is far, far greater than a football match," he said. “ I've never been in a football game like this before."

FA chief executive Martin Glenn admitted that the eyes of the world would be n Wembley on Tuesday evening.

"This is going to have massive global significance - the first major event since Friday," he said. “It is a chance to demonstrate terrorism can't win. We can't afford to let this act of terror cow us."