Aussie Footballers Ryan Williams and Abneet Bharti Join Indian 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. This move marks a notable shift in India’s approach to player recruitment, particularly opening doors for overseas players with Indian heritage.

New Faces in Indian Football

Ryan Williams, a 32-year-old winger originally from Perth, Australia, and Abneet Bharti, a 27-year-old centre-back born in Kathmandu, Nepal, have both completed the necessary processes to represent India. Williams has made the remarkable choice to surrender his Australian passport to acquire Indian citizenship, reflecting his deep connection to the country. Previously, he represented Australia at multiple levels, including U-20, U-23, and senior teams, with his last appearance for the Socceroos occurring in a friendly match against South Korea in 2019.

Williams expressed his excitement 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 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 tradition; 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.

Strategic Recruitment and Future Aspirations

According to Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the naturalisation process for Williams commenced earlier this year after Indian captain Sunil Chhetri alerted the federation about Williams’ interest. “From then on, the process started,” Chaubey noted, highlighting that the addition of players like Williams and Bharti is part of India’s strategy to fortify its national team.

This initiative may inspire other players of Indian descent abroad to consider representing India. The AIFF plans to actively seek out Indian passport holders who are participating in football overseas. Chaubey stated, “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 critical, as India is currently facing a shortage of quality homegrown attackers, a challenge that contributed 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.

Williams’ decision echoes that of Arata Izumi, a 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 from 2013 to 2014.

Under the Land Transport Act 1998, only Indian citizens are eligible to represent the nation in international competitions, as dual citizenship is not permitted in India. Nevertheless, the AIFF continues to advocate for a more inclusive approach similar to other footballing nations that have successfully integrated foreign-born players.

The addition of Williams and Bharti signifies a progressive step for Indian football, as it embraces a more global identity that values heritage and opportunity while committing to the future success of the Blue Tigers.