Ryan Williams receives late NOC, will miss AFC Asian Cup qualifier between India and Bangladesh

Striker Ryan Williams will have to wait for his India debut due to a delay in completing paperwork, making him ineligible for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh on November 18

Williams, who gave up his Australian citizenship for an Indian passport, switched allegiances earlier this month and played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Bhutan on November 13.

With Sunil Chhetri retiring from international football, Williams donned his number 11 jersey in that match. But for official matches he needed a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Football Australia, which arrived very late.

«Ryan received his NOC from Australia earlier today (on November 18). His paperwork will now be submitted to FIFA for his subsequent registration with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC),» a source aware of the developments told Sportstar.

«Only after AFC registration can India (men) include him in the matchday squad. However, the deadline for today’s match was 11:59 pm yesterday.»

READ | Sunil Chhetri helps Ryan Williams with the switch from Australia to India

Williams began the process of giving up his Australian passport for an Indian one about six months ago. He has Indian roots and his maternal grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, played for the Western India Football Association in the 1950s. His twin brother Aryn also played in India between 2017 and 2019, for NEROCA in the I-League.

Williams played much of his club football in the United Kingdom and Australia, winning the English Football League trophy with Barnsley in 2016.

He joined Bengaluru FC in 2023 and scored 13 times and assisted a further five in 46 appearances, playing as both an inside forward and winger while playing alongside Chhetri in the final third.

India, who have no wins in four matches in the Asian Cup qualifiers, have already been eliminated from the race to qualify for the 2027 tournament.

India vs Bangladesh – Example

There are two matches left in the qualifying campaign as they play Bangladesh on Tuesday before hosting Hong Kong, China on March 31 next year.

Published on November 18, 2025