In a historic turn for Indian football, two foreign-born players, Ryan Williams and Abneet Bharti, have officially joined the Indian men’s national football team ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18.
Williams, a 32-year-old winger born and raised in Perth, and Bharti, a 27-year-old Kathmandu-born centre-back, have both completed the process to represent India. The move highlights a growing shift in Indian football’s approach to player recruitment, opening doors for overseas-based players with Indian roots.
While Abneet Bharti had previously played for India’s junior teams after stepping away from the Nepal football fold, Ryan Williams made the remarkable decision to surrender his Australian passport to obtain Indian citizenship. Williams, who has represented Australia at the U-20, U-23, and senior levels, last played for the Socceroos in a 2019 friendly against South Korea.
“Honoured to make official what’s long felt true. Grateful for the love, the opportunity, and the sense of belonging this country has given me. India, I’m one of your own!” Williams posted on social media, confirming his switch of allegiance, as quoted by the Indian Express.
Williams’ mother was born in an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, and his grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, represented Bombay in the Santosh Trophy during the 1950s. Football runs in the family; his twin brother, Aryn Williams, also played in India’s I-League for NEROCA FC in 2018, and Ryan later joined Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
According to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, the process of Williams’ naturalisation began earlier this year after Indian captain Sunil Chhetri informed the federation of his interest. “From then on, the process started,” Chaubey said, adding that the inclusion of players like Williams and Bharti reflects India’s intent to strengthen its national side.
The move could signal a new phase in Indian football, potentially inspiring other players of Indian origin abroad to follow suit. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) plans to actively identify and reach out to Indian passport holders playing overseas.
“We will try to reach out to football-playing nations where Indian passport holders are active. Through media and other platforms, we invite them to connect with us to build a stronger national team,” Chaubey said, quoted Indian Express.
The development comes at a critical time when India faces a shortage of quality homegrown attackers, a factor behind its failure to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Williams’ inclusion, therefore, is expected to inject much-needed experience and depth into Khalid Jamil’s side.
Williams’ decision mirrors that of Arata Izumi, the Japan-born footballer of Gujarati descent who became the first foreign-born player to represent India after acquiring citizenship in 2012. Izumi played nine matches for India between 2013 and 2014.
Under the Land Transport Act 1998, only Indian citizens are eligible to represent the country internationally, as India does not permit dual citizenship. The AIFF, however, continues to advocate for a more inclusive approach, similar to other footballing nations that have successfully integrated foreign-born players, according to the Indian Express.
With the addition of Williams and Bharti, Indian football appears to be embracing a more global identity, one that values heritage, opportunity, and commitment to the Blue Tigers’ future.