She received the award from Minister of Culture Jeanette Gustafsdotter (S) at the Government Offices on Thursday evening.
- You are awarded the medal because we want to draw attention to your many years of outstanding efforts for Swedish football and international football, says Gustafsdotter.
- You are one of the world's largest global football coaches, and have thus opened the door for Swedish sports leaders internationally.
Sundhage was moved by the words.
- I am thrown back to where I started and I am extremely proud of course.
When I started, there was no women's football and then you were constantly questioned as a leader, to then stand here and get such words, she says.
Minister of Sports Anders Ygeman (S) also participated in the ceremony and paid tribute to the Swedish icon.
- She is a pioneer for Swedish football, both through her time as a player and leader.
There are probably few others who have meant so much to developing Swedish football, he says.
Sundhage has collected several heavy medals during his long career.
As a player, she participated and won four Swedish Championship golds, four Swedish cup titles and five international championship medals in the World Cup and European Championships with the Swedish national team.
In her role as coach, she has, among other things, won two Olympic gold medals as the US national team captain and led Sweden to both Olympic silver and European Championship bronze.
Today she is the national team captain of Brazil's national team.
The Illis Quorum Medal was established in 1785 and is the oldest government medal.
It rewards efforts for cultural, scientific and other public benefit purposes.