From World Cup to SEA Games: Isabella Flanigan embraces bigger role in Philippine futsal’s rise

Long after the cheers faded at Philsports Arena and the Filipina5 wrapped up a whirlwind World Cup debut, Bella Flanigan stood with a calm pride — not from the scorelines, but from what the team had proven on a world stage they once only dreamed of reaching.

Facing Poland, Morocco, and Argentina — nations with deeper futsal roots and decades of structure behind them — the Philippines entered the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup as underdogs. Yet for Flanigan, the tournament wasn’t defined by the gap in resources or experience, but by how her teammates responded to it.

“I’m very proud of all the girls,” she said. “I know we’ve done our best, given every preparation we had… to represent our nation in such a massive tournament with such strong women as part of a historic event is just phenomenal.”

What stood out this time was Flanigan’s evolution. Already a veteran of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she returned to a different role — the captain’s armband, worn twice during the group stage. It wasn’t a responsibility she expected, but one she quickly realized demanded more than just technical skill.

It demanded clarity of mind.

“I think for me, my biggest realization is that when you go into something, you need to have the correct perspective and the correct mindfulness in what you’re going to achieve,” Flanigan shared. “You need to be able to switch your mind and switch your mindset to always be looking at what you can control and not what’s against you.” 

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That mental shift has defined her young international career. At just 20 years old, Flanigan has already amassed 41 caps across two formats — a number that marks not just experience, but adaptability rarely seen in Filipino athletes. 

She stands alongside Katrina Guillou and Jaclyn Sawicki as one of the few Filipinas to feature in both a football and futsal World Cup.

And her journey is far from slowing down.

Both the Filipinas and Filipina5 are preparing for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where Flanigan may once again have to choose between sports. She doesn’t yet know where she’ll be needed — only that she’ll be ready.

“I haven’t heard anything about my participation yet,” she admitted. “I’ll prepare in whatever way I need to… because I always want to represent the Philippines.”

But beyond medals or assignments, Flanigan’s motivation continues to widen. She sees every match as part of a bigger effort — one that stretches further than a tournament bracket.

“My goal is to keep inspiring the little boys and little girls watching… to build the next generation up and show them that it’s indeed possible and that there are those opportunities there.”

For a team navigating uncharted territory and a country still building its futsal identity, Bella Flanigan has become more than a standout player. She is now the thread connecting the present to what Philippine futsal — and women’s football — can become.

A captain not just for a week, but for a generation taking its first steps on a world stage.

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