Ryan Williams joins the Indian football team’s camp in Bengaluru

Striker Ryan Willaims, who gave up his Australian passport to become an Indian citizen, has joined the Khalid Jamil-coached national team camp in Bengaluru, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Sunday.

The 32-year-old, born in Perth, entered the camp alongside defender Jay Gupta.

“Forward Ryan Williams and defender Jay Gupta have joined the senior national team camp in Bengaluru,” the AIFF said on X.

In what could mark a new beginning for Indian football, the game’s national federation, AIFF, earlier this week signed two foreign players – Williams and Abneet Bharti – for the national camp ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 18.

The move reflects a bold shift in the beleaguered federation’s approach, opening the door to players of Indian origin and those willing to give up foreign citizenship to represent the country.

The camp started in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Williams’ Indian citizenship transfer ceremony was performed by the legendary Sunil Chhetri at the training facility of Bengaluru FC, the club he plays for in the Indian Super League (ISL).

«Honoured to make official what has felt true for a long time. Grateful for the love, opportunity and sense of belonging this country has given me. As you can see, the last round of interviews was the most difficult. India, I am one of you!» Williams had previously said in a Instagram after.

Williams’ mother was born in Mumbai, while his father was born in Kent, England.

This is only the second time that an Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) has been eligible to play for the Indian football team.

He played for the Australian U-20 and U-23 teams and also represented the senior team as a second-half substitute during a 2019 friendly against South Korea.

Williams also represented English clubs Fulham and Portsmouth before joining ISL side Bengaluru FC in 2023.

Before Williams, Japanese-born Izumi Arata took Indian citizenship to represent India in 2012, and played in nine matches for the Blue Tigers in 2013 and 2014.

Published on November 9, 2025