Aim: This literature study explored how sport can be used as an arena for preventive social work with children and youth. Method: A structured literature review of nine peer-reviewed articles from Sweden, Spain, and the United States was used to answer the study’s questions. Main results: Findings showed, sport when combined with competence of social workers, could promote mental health, social belonging, and inclusion. Sport could serve as a health-promoting and protective environment where social workers contribute to developing more inclusive practices. Discussion: Results indicated that fully established structures for integrating social work into sports contexts were lacking in Sweden. As most of the included studies originated from the United States, findings were not directly transferable to the Swedish context. Conclusion: Sport does not automatically lead to integration or reduced social exclusion. To achieve preventive effects, deliberate and targeted efforts are required, efforts that actively promote participation and psychosocial development.

Keywords: Social work, sport, prevention, children and youth, inclusion