She's become a vital cog in Australia's machine for over a decade, but Caitlin Foord is yet to face the biggest challenge of her career.

As the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup heads down under, Foord says the Matildas aren't just happy to be joint hosts - they want to give their competition a major shake.

It will be the Albion Park junior's fourth World Cup, after making her debut in 2011. The Matildas' best chance came at last year's Cup but, despite being among the favourites, they bombed out in the round of 16.

Speaking from Switzerland via Zoom, Foord told the Mercury that playing at home could spark the Matildas' campaign in 2023.

"We've definitely fallen short and felt that we have should have done better," the 25-year-old said.

"It's been disappointing, but obviously playing at home, and having that home ground advantage will make it a little bit more special. It could definitely help us go further than what we have and achieve that dream of winning [the World Cup].

"The Matildas have always been a team that never gives up and fights. I think it's more so special now because most of the girls in the team have been together for many years now, from the the Young Matildas and a lot of years in the Matildas together. We've been on that journey together, we've had the ups and downs.

"For us, it's been in the wave of the transition of football in Australia. From where we started to now, it's just completely different. We can feel the support from the country and we know that we have the team to do something special."

See more: Major blow for Rangers as Bridge pulls pin on IPL

It was in the early hours of Friday morning (AEDT) when FIFA announced that Australia and New Zealand's bid was successful.

A video circulating on social media showing Football Federation Australia officials and Matildas players erupting in joy at the FFA's Sydney office has already become the stuff of legends. However, Foord's experience could not have been more different.

"We had just been floating down the river all day. We were then sitting and having a couple of drinks, waiting for the announcement. So I was pretty relaxed but also nervous as well. Some of the girls were like 'you're a bit quiet' and I said 'I'm just waiting for this thing to happen'," Foord said.

"When we [first] put the bid in, it sounded extremely nice but, in my head, it was kind of like 'it won't happen' because you don't think it will happen in your country. But as it got closer, it started to feel like this could actually be real. I was super excited when the announcement came and I think it made it a little bit more special with the hype getting close to it, with other nations pulling out. But coming down to two nations, you never knew.

"It still doesn't feel real and I don't think it will until it's really close. But I know when it comes around, it's going to be a very special moment for everyone involved."