In the interview with Ryan Williams: India talks naturalization, Indian football and more

Ryan Williams’ journey in Indian football is one of its kind. Born in Perth and after representing Australia in an international friendly in 2019, Williams chose to shift his allegiance to the country where his mother, Audrey, was born: India.

After three years of trying, he now looks set to make his competitive debut in India colors against Hong Kong, China, in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday. He would become the first naturalized player to play for India since Arata Izumi in 2014.

In an exclusive interview with Sports starsthe 32-year-old discusses his transition, naturalization in football and how the sport can grow in this part of the world.

Q: How relieving is it to play for India?

A: There have been two types of enlightenment. The first was getting the Indian passport in my hand, which took much longer than we would have liked, and then now being eligible to play.

I joined the camp that went to Bangladesh in November, but it was a strange camp because every day I asked, ‘Is it going to happen?’ It came down to the last hour. Ultimately that didn’t happen. I think it was 12 o’clock, the cutoff, and we finally got the NOC and all that stuff at 1 o’clock or 2 o’clock in the morning or something like that.

So disappointment there. But I try to look at things positively. Now I can make my debut in blue and in Kerala, one of the football houses of India.

It makes it even more exciting.

Q: You came through the youth systems of Portsmouth, Fulham and Barnsley. How does player development in India compare to that in Britain?

A: It’s hard to compare because I haven’t seen much of the under-18 and under-16 structure here. What I would say is they go into detail about scanning before you receive the ball, where to position yourself when defending, if the player is going to jump, punch him, just all these little things.

One of the most important things they taught us when we were younger was to scan and know what your next option is before you get the ball.

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Although they also teach that to the first team players, they slowly trickle it into you in different parts. Without these lessons, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.

Q: What did India mean to you growing up in Australia?

A: All of my mother’s family – that’s the Indian side of my family – live in Perth. That’s who I grew up with. So when we went around my grandmother’s house it was always Indian food and there were lots of uncles, aunts and cousins ​​everywhere.

There was always that importance to family, and coming to India and seeing that was a bit like putting two and two together.

My family and I are very happy here. It was a great decision, supported by my family. You see me on the field, but it is the collective.

Question: When did the switch finally become a reality?

A: Months after I came here, I contacted a lawyer, maybe in 2023. They said I could choose both: OCI or the Passport, but I couldn’t play for the national team with my OCI card.

Obviously I was new to this and didn’t quite understand it.

It got to the point where it was actually my wife who said, ‘Why don’t you just get the passport and let’s stay here. Let’s really push for this.’ Without my wife I don’t think this would have happened because at that time everyone told me no and we just said, ‘Let’s stay.’ And in the end, perseverance won.

Not many people know it, but you have to stay 365 days. So initially we stayed here out of season, which was difficult for me because I usually go back to Australia every year to see all my family. So staying behind was one of the biggest decisions, but probably one of the best I’ve made.

Q: What is the mood in the dressing room now and what are your expectations from yourself in Indian colours?

A: It’s okay. Everyone is focused on the game and desperate to win. There’s a lot of pride in the line here.

As for me, as long as I am fit and playing well – scoring goals, assisting and making a difference in the team – I will take every opportunity I get to don the Indian jersey.

Q: Can football grow in a cricket-dominated country like India?

A: It would be great, but I’m not sure this is something that will happen. It’s like going to Britain and saying, ‘We want to take another sport besides football to the next level.’

The love for cricket is far beyond anything I have ever seen for a sport. Ideally we would like to have more eyes on the football, but I think that is up to us in the national team.

What I have realized is that India is a very patriotic nation, and they will support their team(s) in any sport, even if they are not so sure about what is happening there. They want India to do well and win.

Probably the fastest way to grow the game of football in India is if we as a national team can try to reach major tournaments more often and consistently.

Question: Naturalization has almost become a norm in international football. Do you think this is a good shortcut to success?

A: Yes, you can look at it both ways. I remember going to camp when I was with Australia under Graham Arnold, and there was a guy I was rooming with, a Scottish guy, Harry Souttar. I was chatting to him, and he had this thick Scottish accent, and I said, ‘Oh, have you ever been to Australia before?’ (He said): ‘No.’

I don’t know how the Indian people would take that. A lot of people would say that if we do that, it would hold the base back.

But everyone does it. If you have links with a country and you are proud to play for it and there is a real connection, then I don’t see a problem with it.

I just don’t know how many people would be willing to give up their passports to come and play. If there was something with two passports or if you could play with the OCI card that would be cool.

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But then maybe it overwhelms too many (players) because the Indian diaspora is crazy all over the world, especially in Britain. The move could benefit us, but I don’t have a crystal ball to say what it will look like in ten years.

Maybe it would be good for five years because then maybe we reach these tournaments and we as Indian players get better because there is more competition in the camps.

Q: You were born in Perth, then moved to Britain and then moved to India. Do you think you’ve finally found your home?

A: Home is where the heart is, and because I have felt the love of the people here and been as happy as I am here, I think the answer to that question is yes, this is where I feel most comfortable, and I see my future here.

Question: What do you expect from the game?

A: We have a relatively new manager. People want to impress him. There is a lot of noise outside. As footballers, some people read the comments; some don’t. I’m the last.

It’s a really good opportunity for people to stake their claim, put their flag in the ground and say, listen, I should play.

Low stakes? Yes, but the last few results haven’t been great. People want to make amends, and there is no better place to come and do what you want to do than Kerala.

Q: Looking back, how do you want to remember this trip?

A: I would have liked this process to happen faster, so that I would have had more (playing) years. I just want to look back on it with pride and happiness. I’m glad I did this, and if I can help some of the younger guys along the way, that’s kind of what I want to do. After that I want to start coaching.

Published on March 31, 2026