The 1951 Pan American Games were held in Buenos Aires, Argentina between February 25 and March 9, 1951. The Pan American Games' origins were at the Games of the X Olympiad in Los Angeles, United States, where officials representing the National Olympic Committees of the Americas discussed the staging of an Olympic-style regional athletic competition for the athletes of the Americas.

The first edition of the football tournament at the Pan American Games was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 25 February to 8 March 1951. Five teams did compete, after Brazil withdrew on 16 February 1951.