"Sundhage may mean a lot as a symbol"

"I'm a big fan of Swedish women's soccer," screams Kamila Ferreira, waving frantically with a yellow national jersey. On the back there is Sundhage with capital letters.

Women's football is politically charged because it challenges gender roles and the view of women's place in society. This is especially true in today's Brazil.

At the turn of the year, the world's fifth largest country was given a new president - the conservative ex-military Jair Bolsonaro. He is a politician who called himself "proudly homophobic" and made himself known for hateful comments against women, gays and minorities.

This evening at the classic Pacaembu Stadium, another Brazil shows up. The stands are filled by women and girls of all ages. Young girls are kissed, a rainbow flag swaying in the wind and suddenly the audience is enthusiastic: "Away with Bolsonaro, away with Boslonaro!"

Sundhage has landed in Brazil just as the country, through its controversial president, is in the media spotlight. And where polarization tears deep wounds. With completely different visions for what the future of Brazil will look like.

One of the most important forces behind Bolsonaros rolling victory was Brazil's powerful free churches. They now use their influence to promote a conservative view of family and gender roles. And fight everything they see as threatening: questioning norms, gender pedagogy and sex education.

Jair Bolsonaro and Pia Sundhage - it is difficult to imagine two people standing further apart in appearance and world seeding. Sundhage is clear with its values ​​but at the same time a professional at the fingertips who does not learn to interfere in Brazilian domestic politics.

However, Pia may mean a lot as a symbol. Only the fact that she has just been given the task of lifting the soccer country Brazil's women's national team is of great importance. In any case, thousands of soccer-loving women in Brazil think so. They expect triumphs on the football field. And a revolution outside it.