Football was contested as part of the programme for the 1989 Island Games which was hosted in the Faroe Islands from 5 to 13 July 1989. It was the inaugural edition of the men's football tournament at the multi-sport event organised by the International Island Games Association.
The football tournament began with the first round of matches in the group stage on 6 July 1989 and ended with the final round of matches on 12 July 1989. The Faroe Islands won the gold medal after winning all four of their group matches. Ynys Môn won silver and àland won bronze.
A five-a-side youth football tournament was held at the inaugural games in 1985 held in Douglas, Isle of Man but football was completely absent from the programme at the 1987 Island Games held in Guernsey.
The five teams played a single round robin group where the medals would be decided on the final group standings.
The matches were played at venues across the Faroe Islands including Gøtu, Vágur, Tórshavn, Sandavágur, Fuglafjørður, KlaksvÃÂk, Sandur, LeirvÃÂk.
The competition began on 6 July 1989. The Faroe Islands recorded a comfortable 6âÂÂ0 win against Ynys Môn while Greenland defeated Shetland. Two days later, the Faroe Islands defeated Shetland 4âÂÂ0 and Ynys Môn won a closely contested match 5âÂÂ4 against àland. On 9 July 1989, a hat-trick from Jens Erik Rasmussen helped the Faroe Islands to a 3âÂÂ0 win against Greenland and Shetland were mathematically eliminated from medal contention after a 2âÂÂ0 loss against àland. With two rounds of matches to play, the Faroe Islands were assured of at least a bronze medal and were in pole position for the gold medal while àland, Greenland and Ynys Môn were all tied on two points.
On 11 July 1989, àland and Ynys Môn recorded 3âÂÂ0 wins against Greenland and Shetland respectively. As a result, Shetland would finish fifth having played and lost all four of their games while the four teams in action in the final round of matches would all have something to play for. The following day, the Faroe Islands sealed their gold medal with a 7âÂÂ1 victory against àland. Ynys Môn won he silver medal with a 1âÂÂ0 against Greenland which meant àland won bronze.