Foreign Players Ryan Williams and Abneet Bharti Join Indian Football Team

In a significant development for Indian football, two foreign-born players, Ryan Williams and Abneet Bharti, have officially joined the Indian men’s national football team. Their inclusion comes just ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18. Williams, a 32-year-old winger from Perth, and Bharti, a 27-year-old centre-back born in Kathmandu, have completed the necessary steps to represent India, marking a shift in the country’s recruitment strategy.

This move highlights a broader trend within Indian football to welcome overseas-based players with Indian heritage. While Bharti has previously played for India’s junior teams after transitioning from Nepal’s football scene, Williams took a bold step by renouncing his Australian citizenship to gain Indian nationality. He has represented Australia at the U-20, U-23, and senior levels, last donning the Socceroos jersey in a friendly against South Korea in 2019.

Williams expressed his excitement about this transition on social media, stating, “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!” His family ties to India run deep; his mother was born into an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, and his grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, played for Bombay in the Santosh Trophy during the 1950s. Football is a family affair for Williams, as his twin brother, Aryn Williams, played in India’s I-League for NEROCA FC in 2018, and Ryan later joined Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.

The President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kalyan Chaubey, noted that Williams’ naturalisation process began earlier this year after Indian captain Sunil Chhetri alerted the federation about Williams’ interest. Chaubey remarked, “From then on, the process started,” emphasizing that the addition of players like Williams and Bharti reflects India’s commitment to enhancing its national squad.

This initiative may herald a new phase in Indian football, potentially inspiring other players of Indian descent living abroad to pursue similar paths. The AIFF plans to actively identify Indian passport holders playing internationally and engage with them to strengthen the national team. Chaubey elaborated, “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.”

The timing of this development is crucial, as India is currently facing a shortage of quality domestic attackers, a contributing factor to its failure to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Williams’ experience is expected to provide much-needed depth to coach Khalid Jamil’s squad. This decision echoes that of Arata Izumi, the first foreign-born player to represent India after obtaining 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 compete internationally, as India does not allow dual citizenship. Nevertheless, the AIFF continues to advocate for a more inclusive approach, akin to other footballing nations that have successfully integrated foreign-born players.

With the addition of Williams and Bharti, Indian football seems to be embracing a more global identity, emphasizing heritage, opportunity, and a commitment to the future of the Blue Tigers. This evolution not only enhances the quality of the national squad but also reflects a growing recognition of the diverse backgrounds that contribute to the sport in India.