ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Sophomore Mahlia Slaiby of the Bard College women's soccer team has been called to join the Lebanese Futsal National team. 

The Lebanese team is trying to qualify for a spot in the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, which will be hosted by the Philippines. The inaugural 2025 Futsal Women's World Cup will feature three teams from Asia (AFC), two each from Africa (CAF) and North/Central America (CONCACAF), three teams from South America (CONMEBOL), one from Oceania (OFC), and four teams from Europe (UEFA). 

"I am extremely excited to bring my skills to the team and represent Lebanon," said Slaiby. "It's always been a dream of mine to play at the international level, and I am grateful to Coach El Khoury for this chance. To have this opportunity is an honor, and I want to thank my family, coaches, and teammates who have helped me get to this point."

"We are so excited for Mahlia to represent the Lebanese National Futsal Team," said Bard College women's soccer head coach, Kate Hofstede. " She has a competitor's mentality and incredible footwork.  I have no doubt her abilities will continue to grow this season in the Liberty League to help prepare her for the international stage. Bard is fortunate to have such talent representing the athletics department."

Slaiby and the team will compete in the AFC qualifier between May 7 and 18, 2025, with the location still TBD. In January, she will head to Beirut, Lebanon, to join the team and head coach Maroun El Khoury at the USJ Mansourieh training facility.