LONDON, England (CNN) -- The FIFA Under 17 Women's Football World Cup is down to the semi-final stage and the two matches are shaping as epic inter-continental battles.

Tournament favorite: The German women's under-17 football side is one of the top contenders for the World Cup crown.

The tournament, being played in New Zealand, has seen England emerge as a surprise entrant into the top four after beating Japan on penalties in the quarter final.

However, with only four teams remaining, the trophy could yet be headed for the Americas, Asia or Europe.

Both semi-finals are held in Christchurch on Thursday, with England first facing North Korea and then the United States playing Germany.

Both the U.S. and Germany had been tipped as favorites for the tournament beforehand -- with both nations possessing impressive senior women's sides.

The team from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) are also developing as a potential title winner.

Looking to following the footsteps of their country's under 20 women's side which claimed their World Cup in 2006, this side made an incredible debut on the regional stage by winning the Asian under-16 Women's Championship in March 2007.

The semi finals get underway at 0300 and 0600 GMT, while the final is being held in Auckland on Sunday and starts at 0000 GMT.