Ryan Williams is eligible to play for India

Bengaluru FC forward Ryan Williams has been cleared to play for the Indian men’s football team as per FIFA’s Players’ Status Chamber (PSC) decision, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Thursday.

According to AIFF, the PSC made its final decision on Wednesday.

«Following the submission, FIFA’s Player Status Chamber assessed the request in accordance with the standards set out in the RGAS. The Chamber issued a decision on November 19, confirming that all eligibility criteria had been met and approving the change of the player’s association with India,» AIFF said in a statement.

“Now that the ruling is in effect, Ryan Williams is officially eligible for selection for the Indian national team,” it added.

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Ryan 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.

He was also part of the 23-man contingent that traveled to Bangladesh for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier in India on Wednesday, but was not part of the matchday squad. He needed a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Football Australia, which arrived very late.

He did not obtain his NOC until November 18, meaning the team could not register him before the 11:59 PM deadline on November 17.

India, who were already out of the qualifying race, eventually lost the match 0-1 and are at the bottom of the group with two points from five matches.

Published on November 20, 2025