Barbie Unveils Ilona Maher Doll and Team Barbie Honoring Rugby Stars

Barbie has a new athletic look.

In honor of International Day of the Girl, Mattel—the brand behind Barbie—has debuted Team Barbie, a new line of dolls inspired by some of today’s strongest role models and women’s rugby players. Leading the pack is Olympic medalist, American rugby player and social media star Ilona Maher. Maher, who has over 8 million followers on Instagram and TikTok, has made a name for herself proving to young girls everywhere that strong is beautiful.

Maher’s mini-me—available for purchase in 2026—is the first Barbie to feature the brand’s new “muscular sculpt” body type, celebrating a straighter, more athletic torso with visibly defined arms, shoulders, legs and sculpted core and back muscles. Complete with a kit and rugby ball, this Barbie isn’t afraid to make her move on the field.

The message of embracing confidence and strength is one Maher is passionate about sharing with the next generation. “Being part of Team Barbie is about showing girls that confidence isn’t something to shy away from, but something to own,” Maher said in a press release about her new doll. “I’m honored to use my platform to empower the next generation to find that spark of confidence within themselves and let it drive them toward unlocking their limitless possibilities.”

Image: Courtesy of Mattel, Inc.

Barbie and Maher’s message arrives at a critical time when 1 in 3 girls report giving up on sports by age 14, often due to body confidence concerns, self-doubt and a lack of visible female role models. The new Team Barbie lineup offers plenty of inspiration, featuring three other standout women’s rugby players alongside Maher:

• Ellie Kildunne: A key member of England Rugby’s Red Roses team, World Champion, 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year, and trailblazer driving the sport’s rising popularity.
• Portia Woodman-Wickliffe: Two-time New Zealand Olympic and World Champion, known for redefining the game with record-breaking performances.
• Nassira Konde: French rugby star and Olympic medalist recognized for uplifting the next generation through inclusion, skill, and fearless ambition.

Image: Courtesy of Mattel, Inc.

"At Barbie, we believe that girls can be, and do, anything,” said Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie, Mattel. “We’re committed to breaking down the barriers—from gender stereotypes to self-doubt—that hold girls back from realizing their limitless potential. 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.”

Mattel is backing that promise with action. As part of its commitment to empowering girls in sports, the company is donating to girls’ athletic organizations across the US, UK, New Zealand, and France.

The brand’s latest announcement builds on its growing roster of inspiring dolls—from sports icons like Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams to representations of different abilities and diversity, including a Barbie with Down syndrome and wheelchair and prothestic users. Today’s Barbie proves that every kind of strength deserves to be seen.