Four years is a long time. Over the past 48 months, the world has experienced a pandemic, the Australian women’s national team finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics and Caitlin Foord has excelled after joining WSL heavyweights Arsenal.
But four years after the Matildas were knocked out of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, by Norway on a summer evening in Nice, it might as well have been yesterday. Speaking to the Guardian via Zoom, the heartbreak of that shootout loss in the round of 16 flashes across Foord’s face.
A miss by captain Sam Kerr and substitute Emily Gielnik’s saved attempt saw the Matildas sent packing with their worst World Cup placing since 2003. Defeated 4-1 on penalties, Foord did not even get the opportunity to stare down the Norwegian keeper.
“I think the disappointment that we all felt obviously stays within you,” Foord says. “Knowing that feeling, and not wanting to have it again, is naturally going to help going into this tournament.”
The nightmare in Nice was endured by most of the anticipated Matildas squad for the 2023 World Cup, which kicks off next month. The tournament on home soil might be the last hurrah for many in this talented playing group. And when the Matildas face Ireland on 20 July in Sydney, memories of past heartbreak will linger.
“Most players were there [in Nice] and experienced that,” Foord says. “It’s not really something that needs to be spoken about – we’re all well aware of that. We know that this feels like it’s our time to make some special happen. I think that [loss to Norway] will definitely be in the back of our minds.”
The opening clash against Ireland – coming a few hours after New Zealand open the tournament against Norway in Auckland – will be a moment imbued with symbolism. The Matildas match was moved to Accor Stadium due to strong ticket sales – if it reaches capacity it will break attendance records for women’s sport in Australia.
“It’s going to be a pinch yourself kind of moment,” Foord says. “I’ve been in [Accor Stadium] and watched massive games before – there’s an importance to games played there. I think the first moments will be quite emotional, with all our family and friends and fans. And to sing the national anthem is always a special moment.
“When I think about that game, I don’t even think about the game [itself]. I think about that moment. Obviously what comes next is what comes naturally to us, what we’re there for – I hope that plays out as it should. But it will be a moment you can really soak in and enjoy.”
This is not Foord’s first rodeo. The New South Wales south coast local burst on to the W-League scene in 2010, as a teenage prodigy at Sydney FC. Then in 2011 she became the youngest Australian to play at a World Cup, a record she still holds.
Over the last decade, Foord has excelled in the now A-League Women, in the NWSL in the US, in Japan and now in England. She has notched up more than 100 caps for the Matildas, with appearances at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. At her fourth World Cup in July, Foord will join rarefied company.
But this tournament feels different. “Obviously the thing that has stayed the same is the class of the players – there has always been amazing players and amazing moments,” Foord says, reflecting on what has changed since her first World Cup.
“But there’s just a lot more eyes on it now and a lot more attention. And I think the game is finally getting the recognition it should. This is going to be the biggest World Cup yet. So it’s exciting – the opportunity for us to host that and show what Australia is about.”
Foord hopes a home World Cup at a time of major growth for women’s sport locally and abroad could be a transformational moment. “To change the game in Australia – that’s a massive opportunity for us,” she says. “The game has come so close – there’s fine margins between teams now. I think there’s going to be a lot of upsets.”
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Since joining Arsenal in 2020, Foord has had a front-row seat to the WSL’s explosion in popularity, helped by England’s triumph at the Uefa Women’s Euros last year.
“It was really cool to be over here while the Euros were on and go to the games as a fan,” she says. “It was hard not to think: ‘this is going to be us in a year.’ To see the England girls win the Euros and how that has changed the look of the game here – it’s hard not to think we have the opportunity to do the same, if not even better.”
Foord signed for the Gunners after almost a decade splitting her time between Australian and US leagues. She says joining the WSL has been “the best thing” for her football. “Every day you can only get better, you have to be consistent, you have to be improving, to be in the starting team or to get game-time.”
Foord is joined by an increasingly large contingent of Australians playing across Europe. “To be in a professional environment and have all the resources you need and competitive matches every weekend – that’s only benefiting us as a national team,” she says.
But the downside of the exodus to Europe has been the impact on the ALW, which is losing the battle for talent due to its shorter season and part-time salaries.
“I think naturally that was going to happen, with the league not being professional yet,” Foord says. “So I guess [the competition] has taken a little hit. But the A-League now is a massive opportunity for younger players to step up and for more people to get opportunity. And people like [Cortnee] Vine, obviously, killing the league and now being in the national team.”
In April, Foord injured her hamstring in Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City. At the tail-end of a gruelling season, and on the eve of the final pre-World Cup international window, it was bad news for the Matildas. But Foord’s enforced rest may turn into an unexpected positive, with the forward returning to the WSL with a bang in May, scoring twice and displaying fresh exuberance.
Now, recharged and refreshed, Foord is on a mission. Forget the nightmare in Nice – this is the Matildas’ time to shine. “To win the World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport,” she says. “To be able to do that on home soil, it would be more than a dream come true.”