Mattel is riding the women's rugby wave, with the toymaker celebrating October 11th's International Day of the Girl by transforming "a coalition of four powerful role models and professional rugby players from across the globe" into Team Barbie.
Earning the Barbie doll treatment are Team USA Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher, England's newly crowned Rugby World Cup champion Ellie Kildunne, 2021 Olympic silver medalist for France, Nassira Konde, and New Zealand legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe — a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup champion.
Notably, the four new dolls will feature "an all-new body sculpt" to celebrate the strength of each player "with a straighter, more athletic torso, visibly defined arms, shoulders, and legs, plus sculpted core and back muscles."
"If sharing my story can inspire other young girls to believe in themselves the way I have, then I'll have truly made an impact," said Maher in Monday's press release. "Being part of Team Barbie is about showing girls that confidence isn't something to shy away from, but something to own."
"We believe that girls can be, and do, anything," added Mattel's SVP of Barbie Krista Berger. "By showcasing the stories of incredible role models whose confidence has fueled groundbreaking success, we're showing girls that the future of sports – or wherever their passion takes them – is theirs to claim, with Team Barbie cheering them on."
Women's rugby is having a moment, with Mattel getting in on the action following England's successful 2025 Rugby World Cup run, which drew record crowds and spiked global interest this summer.
How to purchase the Team Barbie collection of rugby stars
Mattel's Team Barbie collection of rugby stars will hit the shelves in 2026.
The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup culminates on Saturday, when host nation England battles for their first tournament title in more than a decade in a top-tier final against Canada, who are hunting their first-ever world championship trophy.
The Red Roses' long dominance on the Rugby World Cup pitch has led them to eight finals in the competition's nine editions, with England emerging victorious twice — in 1994 and 2014.
On the other hand, Canada will make just their second-ever appearance in the World Cup final this Saturday, as the Maple Leafs aim for a decidedly different outcome from their 21-9 loss to England in the 2014 championship game.
The top-ranked Red Roses will also be looking to avenge their narrow 34-31 loss to New Zealand in the tournament's most recent 2022 edition when they square off against No. 2 Canada in front of an sold-out crowd inside London's Twickenham Stadium — with another women's rugby attendance record on the line.
"You feed off of that energy, especially knowing what this game is going to be," England defense coach Sarah Hunter said. "It's a cliché, but [the crowd] almost becomes the 16th person in those moments where you need them."
How to watch the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final
England and Canada will battle in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final at 11 AM ET on Saturday, with live coverage airing on Paramount+.
The USA Women's Eagles still have a shot at a 2025 Rugby World Cup knockouts run thanks to a dramatic 31-31 draw against Australia on Saturday — putting all the pressure on next weekend's group-stage finale.
After falling to host nation — and world No. 1 — England in the tournament's record-breaking opener, the now-No. 8 US squad kept their World Cup dreams alive by pulling level with the No. 7 Wallaroos.
Saturday's thrilling draw brought drama to the competition's mostly lopsided pool-play results so far, and spoiled what would have been a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinals for Australia.
"The mood is disappointment because we were so close [to a win]," said US star Ilona Maher following the game. "But also excitement because there is more to play for in that we're not going home just yet. We're definitely proud of the fight."
With England officially clinching the top spot in Pool A, Team USA now needs a blowout win over No. 15 Samoa with at least four tries scored (called a bonus point), as well as an Australian loss to England without a bonus point — plus a positive score differential over the Wallaroos — to advance.
How to watch Team USA at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
The No. 8 USA will close out their group-stage run by taking on No. 15 Samoa at 8:30 AM ET on Saturday, before awaiting their fate when No. 7 Australia plays No. 1 England at 12 PM ET.
Live coverage of all 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup games streams on Paramount+.
The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup is off to the races, setting a new tournament attendance record as 42,723 fans watched top-ranked host nation England claim an opening-day victory over the USA on Friday.
Set inside Sunderland's Stadium of Light, England's Red Roses downed the No. 9 Women's Eagles 69-7 to open the recently expanded 16-team tournament.
"The fans definitely made a statement. You made that one really special," said England full back and Player of the Match Ellie Kildunne after Friday's historic game. "Thank you to everybody that came, having rugby in the North is pretty special as well."
This year's US squad features superstar Ilona Maher as well as several of her fellow rugby sevens Olympic bronze medalists.
"We talk a lot about playing as we can, there were moments out there when we moved the ball really well and we gelled," said Maher following the loss. "I think the hope is that we unlock that and we do that because we have so much potential."
How to watch Team USA at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
On the heels of an opening slate dominated by lopsided scorelines, group-stage play in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup will continue through September 7th before the quarterfinals hit the pitch on September 13th.
The USA will be back in action this Saturday, kicking off against No. 7 Australia at 2:30 PM ET.
Live coverage of all tournament games will stream on Paramount+.
The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup has arrived, as top-ranked host nation England takes on world No. 10 USA to kick off pool play in the 10th edition of the international competition on Friday afternoon.
Featuring rugby superstar Ilona Maher alongside several of her fellow 2024 Olympic bronze medalists, the Women's Eagles will battle in the group stage through September 6th, looking to first secure a spot in the mid-September quarterfinals before aiming for their first World Cup title since winning the inaugural 1991 tournament.
After expanding from 12 to 16 teams this year, the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup is gearing up to be the biggest edition of the international 15s tournament on record, with over 40,000 tickets already sold for Friday's blockbuster opening matchup.
However, Maher and the US have a steep hill climb in Pool A, with the US set to first tackle two-time champion England before facing No. 6 Australia and No. 15 Samoa over the next two weeks.
"Our focus for the first match of the [World Cup] is very much on ourselves and executing our game plan to put pressure on England," said USA head coach Sione Fukofuka. "We know they have big external expectations on them… so we are quietly going about our work, building confidence, and looking forward to performing."
Meanwhile, reigning champions No. 3 New Zealand will start hunting their seventh overall and third straight World Cup title in Pool C against the likes of No. 5 Ireland, No. 11 Japan, and No. 13 Spain.
Taking on Pool B leaders No. 2 Canada will be No. 8 Scotland, No. 9 Wales, and No. 14 Fiji, while tournament underdogs No. 25 Brazil will face an uphill climb in Pool D against No. 4 France, No. 7 Italy, and No. 12 South Africa.
How to watch Team USA in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
The No. 10 USA Women's Eagles will open their 2025 Rugby World Cup campaign against world No. 1 England at 2:30 PM ET on Friday.
Live coverage of all tournament games will stream on Paramount+.
USA Rugby star Ilona Maher is stepping back into the spotlight, with the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist set to be the subject of an upcoming docuseries created by actor Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, the production company announced last Friday.
With Maher serving as both star and one of the show's producers, Hello Sunshine is teaming up with Ross Greenburg Productions and Range Sports to develop the project, which details Maher's life both on and off the field. Maher's sister, Olivia Maher, will also serve as an executive producer of the docuseries.
"Ilona Maher is a force of nature," Hello Sunshine head of unscripted Sara Rea told The Hollywood Reporter. "Ilona shows unwavering resilience during the tough times and grounded authenticity while sitting on top of the world. She's funny, witty, thoughtful, and unapologetic. Quite simply, she's both relatable and extraordinary, and we are honored to tell her story."
Since her Paris Olympics breakthrough with Team USA, Maher has added a runner-up finish on Dancing with the Stars, a Sports Illustrated cover, and a successful podcast entitled House of Maher to her growing resume.
"I constantly feel like I have something to say," Maher said. "I'm a female athlete in a sport that does not get the attention it deserves in the US and yet I've been able to create this massive brand for myself through my own personality and authenticity."
The USA Rugby women's 15s shattered the sport's US attendance record on Friday, welcoming 10,518 fans to Kansas City's CPKC Stadium for the Eagles' matchup against Canada.
Though the world No. 9 ranked US fell short in their come-from-behind push, falling 26-14 to No. 2 Canada in the opening game of the 2025 Pacific Four Series, Friday's crowd gave the players a massive off-field victory.
"To see the crowd be over 10,500 like that was absolutely fantastic in this women's purposely built stadium, and to debut rugby here in that stadium as well," said USA captain Kate Zackary after the game.
Even Canada's athletes lauded the significance of the record-setting crowd, despite the overwhelmingly US cheers from the home fans.
"Being here in North America and having 10,000 people coming to watch women's sports was so amazing," remarked Canada's Sarah-Maude Lachance.
Rugby's rise spurs exponential growth
After the Eagles secured Olympic bronze in rugby sevens last summer, the sport gained significant momentum.
The national attention captured by 2024 Olympians like superstar Ilona Maher earned USA Rugby a multimillion-dollar investment, helped fuel a new domestic league, and minted fresh fans en route to Friday's attendance record.
In the long-term, that growth could turn the US-hosted 2033 Rugby World Cup into a marquee national event.
For the rugby faithful, however, the biggest win is seeing those new to the sport become lifelong fans.
"Everyone I talked to after [Friday's] game who didn't know what rugby was, [I hope] has fallen in love with it," said Zachary.
How to attend the next USA Rugby game
The Eagles will take aim at breaking Friday's attendance record in Washington, DC, on July 19th, when they'll face No. 16 Fiji in a send-off game before August's 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.
Tickets to the Audi Field doubleheader, which also includes the US men's side against England, are available online now.
Two top-flight USA Rugby teams are hitting the turf this weekend, as the Eagles Sevens lands in LA for the 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship while the Eagles 15s continue their friendly series in Kansas City.
Over 7,500 fans snapped up tickets to catch superstar Ilona Maher and the rest of USA Rugby's world No. 9 ranked 15s squad take on No. 2 Canada at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium on Friday, less than a week after suffering a narrow loss to No. 11 Japan in LA last Saturday.
This Saturday, however, is all about the No. 6-ranked Eagles Sevens squad, as the US team joins seven other elite rugby nations hunting a 2025 world title in LA.
Saturday's slate of pool play games will see Team USA facing off against No. 2 Australia, No. 3 France, and No. 7 Fiji, with No. 1 New Zealand, No. 4 Canada, No. 5 Japan, and No. 8 Great Britain also battling for one of four spots in Sunday's semifinals.
USA Rugby drops 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship roster
After finalizing the lineup, USA Rugby revealed its 12-player Eagles Sevens roster on Wednesday, naming six Olympians and six new faces to the 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship team.
Leading the US this weekend is captain Kristi Kirshe and vice captain Kayla Canett, with the 2024 Olympians joined by four other teammates from the bronze medal-winning squad in Paris — Ariana Ramsey, Alena Olsen, Sarah Levy, and Sammy Sullivan.
After suffering a knee injury in the team's last tour in Hong Kong, star Alex "Spiff" Sedrick — who scored the game-winning try in last summer's bronze-medal game — will miss this weekend's World Championship.
In her stead, fresh faces like national team debutant Ashley Cowdrey earned a nod, joining a US roster with six athletes who've played no more than six HSBC SVNS events.
One of those six new stars is Nia Toliver, who caps her breakout sevens season as one of the 2025 HSBC SVNS Rookie of the Year and Try of the Year nominees.
Rounding out the team are Jess Lu, Autumn LoCicero, Su Adegoke, and Tessa Hann.
How to watch USA Rugby this weekend
The Eagles 15s will contend with Canada at 8:30 PM ET on Friday, before the Eagles Sevens kick off their 2025 HSBC SVNS World Championship run against France at 2:28 PM ET.
All matches throughout the weekend will be available to stream live via RugbyPass TV.
US women’s rugby stole the spotlight this week, as incoming domestic league Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) prepares for its first-ever season while USA Rugby gears up for a newly announced series of home friendlies.
In the lead-up to the kickoff of the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England this August, the world No. 9-ranked Eagles will be playing a pair of tune-up friendlies, taking on No. 11 Japan in Los Angeles on April 26th before facing No. 2 Canada in Kansas City on May 2nd.
The national team will then play a final send-off match against No. 16 Fiji in Washington, DC, on July 19th before heading to London for the 10th edition of the international tournament.
Momentum continues with new women's rugby league
The Eagles' pre-World Cup tour aims to continue the sport's momentum that the team initially sparked during last summer's Olympic bronze medal-winning run in Paris.
That standout performance prompted increased demand for more consistent women’s rugby programming in the States, with longtime proponents of the sport welcoming fresh fans into the fold with hopes of continuing to grow the game in the US.
Some of the increased demand will be met by WER, as the new league formalized its sanctioning agreement with USA Rugby earlier this week in anticipation of their March 22nd kick-off.
With six teams representing the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, and the Twin Cities, WER will play a three-month regular season before contesting the league's first playoffs.
"We are confident that the start of WER will be a key moment in the growth of the sport," said WER president Jessica Hammond-Graf in a statement. "We can’t wait for fans to experience the excitement and intensity of high-level, professional women’s rugby in the US."
How to buy tickets to US women's rugby games
Tickets to the Eagles’ World Cup send-off tour go on sale March 28th, while fans hoping to catch WER’s debut season can purchase seats online now.
In today’s episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins breaks down the ins and outs of every NWSL quarterfinal, including who to keep on upset watch and what to expect tactically between the lines.
Then, Watkins sits down with 2024 Olympic bronze medalist rugby player Sammy Sullivan to chat about the future of rugby in the US. Sullivan digs into how she balances the rugby's newfound spotlight with the day-to-day grind of being a pro athlete, plus how fans can keep up with Team USA Rugby all year-round.
The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.
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