International migration of sports coaches: A scoping review of themes, contexts, and methodologies

The international migration of sports coaches has expanded with the globalisation of sport, yet research remains fragmented across sports, regions, and disciplines. This scoping review mapped the themes, contexts, and methodological characteristics of this literature. Following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported per PRISMA-ScR, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus were searched for studies published to 13 March 2026; eligibility followed the Population–Concept–Context framework. Twenty-two studies were included, organised around three themes: motivations and determinants of migration ( n = 12), cross-cultural adaptation ( n = 15), and institutional and organisational culture tensions ( n = 5). Activity has intensified since 2021 but remains concentrated at the elite level (63.6%) and within few migration corridors; few studies addressed Africa or South America, and women coaches remain largely invisible. Qualitative designs dominated (86.4%), with no mixed-methods studies. Future research should broaden regions, levels, and populations, strengthen quantitative and mixed-methods evidence, and develop coach-specific theoretical frameworks.