The Indian Football Association hosts an annual football tournament known as the IFA Shield. The IFA, which was founded in 1893, is the governing body of football in the state of West Bengal. The IFA Shield event, named after the association, began in the same year. It is India's second-oldest football tournament, after only the Durand Cup, and the world's fourth-oldest football competition.

The IFA Shield was dominated by British Army teams in the early years of the game, with the Royal Irish Rifles defeating the W.D.R.A. to win the first IFA Shield in 1893. Their dominance on the Shield was broken in 1911 when Mohun Bagan AC defeated East Yorkshire Regiment 2–1 to become the first all-Indian team to win the IFA Shield. The locals beat the Englishmen in their own game, which was a historic occasion for both Indian football and the war for freedom. While the Royal Irish Rifles have won the IFA Shield a record 29 times, East Bengal Club has been the most successful British Army team with 5 trophies.

The IFA Shield was created as a youth event from 2015 to 2018, and youth teams from all tiers were welcome to compete. IFA made the choice owing to AIFF's busy schedule, which includes the Indian Super League, I-League, and Super Cup. The tournament was re-organized as a senior event in 2020.

Despite the fact that the event was dominated by British Army teams in its early years, British Indian teams also represented India prior to independence, however only a few were all-Indian teams. In 1911, Mohun Bagan AC became the first all-Indian team to win the championship.