Three Lions prodigies Lucy Bronze and Lucy Staniforth, both 16, from Alnwick, have been picked for the U17 ladies squad which is about to do battle in the World Cup finals in New Zealand.

And the nod from head coach Lois Fidler means the duo – and the rest of the England squad – will go down in history as the Lionesses will be competing in the very first FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. The competition kicks-off on October 28.

Lucy B, who has been touted by uefa.com as one of the stars to watch out for in the finals, said: "I am pretty excited about the World Cup. No one knows anything about the other teams and everyone has got everything to play for."

And the talented football lasses, who both attend Alnwick's Duchess's High School, have learnt their World Cup fate. England have been drawn in Group D of the tournament's opening phase and will battle it out for a quarter-final place against Brazil, Nigeria and Korea Republic. The top two sides will go in to the last eight of the competition.

The duo's World Cup bid begins on October 30 against Brazil in the 40,000 capacity Wellington Stadium – home of Australian A League team Wellington Phoenix.

England also face Nigeria there on November 2 before taking on the Korean's at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium – the 25,000 capacity home of the New Zealand national football team.

The Lionesses booked their place at the World Cup after winning their qualifying group. Both Lucys played a prominent part in the qualification stage which was held in the Czech Republic.

And the table-topping triumph also culminated in the talented twosome representing the Three Lions in the very first UEFA Women's European U17 Championship in May.

Only an extra-time defeat to France in the semi-final ended their Championship crusade.

But Lucy B, who will turn 17 just before the Brazil clash, is confident that the experience will pay dividends for the Three Lions.

She said: "We have played in a lot of competitions together so that should give us an advantage."

And Lucy S, who made her England debut in the qualification stage in the Czech Republic said: "I was so pleased when I found out I was in the squad. I was so happy. It is brilliant really.

"I am feeling pretty confident. We should do well with the team that we have got, we have got a very good squad."

Reflecting on England's Group D opponents, she said: "It's going to be a good challenge. And playing Brazil is going to be class. It's going to be a great experience."

The pair's World Cup bow could be just the start of a promising football career for the girls who seem to have the world at their feet.

Both play for Sunderland Ladies First team. Lucy B scored in the team's last match, a 2-2 draw with Curzon Ashton.

The Alnwick duo have also returned from Slovenia where they represented England at U19s level and performed well to qualify as group winners for the second stage of next year's European Under 19s Championships.