In Brazil, a squad of female football players is defying common perceptions about this sport's masculine dominance.
After the 2014 Street Child World Cup, the organization Street Child United Brazil was founded. Years later, in both Qatar in 2022 and Russia in 2018, the squad won the Street Child World Cup.
"to these are pretty dangerous areas in Rio de Janeiro, so the idea was to try to find a spot where the kids could unwind and play football. Since boys and girls have always played football together, one result of this has been that our girls have developed into excellent football players, according to Adam Reid, CEO of Street Child United Brazil.
A defining moment in the careers of these players who are reinventing football was the triumph in Qatar.
"I was thrilled when they traveled to Qatar. Good luck in Qatar, you'll win, I advised them. Although I was too young, I was supposed to go. Geane de Almeida, a 14-year-old football player, said, "I watched their game and was very happy when they won."
According to the project coordinator, this effort is influencing a younger generation and empowering girls.
"Through football, I transformed my life and the plans I had for the future when I was confident I could realize impossible ambitions and do things I had never believed possible. Football helped me feel powerful and realize how strong I was, continued Claudianny Santos, a coach and project coordinator for Drika.
The Complexo da Penha favela, one of Rio de Janeiro's most violent neighborhoods, is where the squad plays on a football field.
