In the early hours of Friday morning, Ms Foord was anxiously waiting in her Lake Illawarra home for THAT big announcement. And the news arrived shortly before 2am - Australia and New Zealand's bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup had become a reality.

There were plenty of tears and smiles for Ms Foord, who was more invested than your average fan. She won't have to travel far to watch her daughter Caitlin represent the Matildas on home soil, in the striker's fourth World Cup campaign.

"I was just in the lounge room with my sister and I think I screamed out. I jumped around the house and probably woke up the neighbours," Ms Foord said.

"We're ecstatic the girls will play on home soil in front of Aussie crowds. It will just be fantastic, especially for my Mum [June]. When she heard, Mum started crying because she hasn't had a chance to see Caitlin play at a World Cup before. She's been unable to travel that distance. So for it to be here is just unbelievable."

Ms Foord admits she had plenty of nerves ahead of the announcement. Colombia had made a late surge to host the tournament, however, FIFA's congress handed Australia and New Zealand's bid 22 out of 35 votes.

"With all the media coming out before the announcement, they were saying the votes would go Colombia's way and we might not get it," Ms Foord said.

"It made me a bit nervous. But when they announced it, I couldn't believe it."

Caitlin is currently living in Switzerland, however, Ms Foord said she rang her daughter straight after Friday morning's announcement.

"I only spoke to her for about 30 seconds, because she was on a group chat with the Matildas," she said.

"Caitlin said 'Mum, I've got to go' - but she was ecstatic."

Caitlin was just 16 years and eight months old when she made her World Cup debut in 2011 in Germany. She has represented the Matildas at the past two tournaments in Canada and France.

The striker has been vocal about her desire to play a World Cup on home soil. Last year, she told the Mercury that it would be a "dream come true" for Australia - especially if games were held in Wollongong.

"That would be insane and that would definitely be something that I would remember forever," she said.

"My family are still down in Wollongong so that's where I spend most of my time when I'm back in Australia.

"I think it would just be a really good World Cup in Australia. The opportunity for us to play in front of our home nation on football's biggest stage would be absolutely incredible."