Australian Winger and Nepali Defender Join Indian Football Team

In a significant move 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 scheduled for November 18. Williams, a 32-year-old winger from Perth, and Bharti, a 27-year-old centre-back originally from Kathmandu, have completed the necessary processes to represent India. This development underscores a notable shift in the recruitment strategies of Indian football, which is increasingly welcoming overseas-based players with Indian heritage.

Bharti had previously played for India’s junior teams after transitioning from the Nepalese football scene. In a more dramatic turn, Williams decided to renounce his Australian citizenship to obtain Indian nationality. He has already represented Australia at various levels, including U-20, U-23, and senior teams. His last appearance for the Socceroos was during a friendly match against South Korea in 2019.

Williams expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter 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!” This announcement was reported by the Indian Express.

Williams’ family has deep roots in Indian football; his mother hails from an Anglo-Indian background in Mumbai, and his grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, represented Bombay in the prestigious Santosh Trophy during the 1950s. Football talent runs in the family, as his twin brother, Aryn Williams, played in India’s I-League for NEROCA FC in 2018, and Ryan himself had a stint with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.

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

This strategic recruitment could mark a new era for Indian football, potentially encouraging other players of Indian origin abroad to consider representing India. The AIFF intends to proactively identify and reach out to Indian passport holders who are currently 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 explained.

The timing of this announcement is crucial as India currently faces a shortage of quality homegrown attackers, which has contributed to its failure to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Therefore, Williams’ experience is expected to provide significant depth and skill to Khalid Jamil’s squad.

Williams’ situation echoes that of Arata Izumi, a Japan-born footballer of Gujarati descent who made history as the first foreign-born player to represent India after acquiring citizenship in 2012. Izumi played nine matches for the national team between 2013 and 2014. The Land Transport Act 1998 stipulates that only Indian citizens are eligible to play for the national team, as India does not allow dual citizenship.

The AIFF continues to advocate for a more inclusive approach, similar to other footballing nations that have successfully integrated foreign-born players. With the additions of Williams and Bharti, Indian football appears poised to embrace a more global identity, valuing heritage and commitment as it moves forward in its quest for success on the international stage.