While the eyes of the soccer world are on Brazil and the 2014 World Cup, three young Calgarians also find themselve dreaming of travelling to that country to play the ‘beautiful game’.

Grace Moore, Gianmarco Plenzik and Owen Antoniuk, all age 11, made the Western Canadian team that will compete in the Danone Nations Cup final on Saturday in Montreal. If they beat Eastern Canada in a one-game showdown they will advance to the world finals in Brazil in November.

“It’s a dream come true. It’s unbelievable and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Grace, who plays for Calgary West Freedom U12.

This is the 15th year of the Danone Cup, which involves 32 countries and this year 2.3 million kids participating in the selection process, from which 384 will travel to Brazil for a four-day competition. It is for players 10 to 12 years old.

In Canada, four selection camps were held in the four participating provinces: Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta. Twenty-two kids from that were picked to play at Saputo Stadium, which is home to Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact.

“It’s going to be an awesome experience and a cool place to play,” said Owen, who plays up an age group with the Calgary Blizzard’s U14 Tier 1 squad.

Gianmarco, who is a member of Calgary Blizzard Azzuri U12 Tier 1, shares those sentiments.

“It’s going to be a fun trip and I hope to get to play for Team Canada,” he said. “It’s going to be a blast. All of the players there are going to be good.”

The three youngsters’ love of soccer began with an introduction to the game in U4. They all work hard away from team practice to improve their skills, practicing at home and playing with their friends in nearby school yards.

It’s quite possible that if the Western Canada team goes to Brazil, Grace and another girl on the squad will be the only females in the tournament. Other countries — with the exception of Senegal last year and China two years ago — most often field all-male teams, according to Canadian coach Dean Howie.

Canada does very well at this event. The country’s best showing was seventh out of 40 teams three years ago while last year brought a 12th-place finish in a field of 32.

“Our objective is to finish in the top half but it is also to let the children experience this (international soccer) culture,” said Howie.

“They are playing in stadiums in front of 65,000 people. Most of our kids have never been in a soccer stadium before. They play in Red Deer and Calgary in front of 22 people and a couple of dogs.”

The winning team will return to Montreal one week prior to leaving for Brazil for more training, then have a few more days of workouts in Brazil before competition starts Nov. 16.

“To have the national camp and the national final when the World Cup is taking place is very special,” said Howie, a college coach from the Montreal area who has been with the Danone program since 2001.

“There is a buzz and we’ll be able to watch some of the games on TV between training sessions and activities. That creates more excitement when you’re 12 years of age.”