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Williams’ decision comes at a pivotal time in Indian football where the homegrown strikeforce is facing an acute shortage (ISL Photo)
Ryan Williams has earned his maiden callup to the Indian national camp just days after he announced that he has succesfully gained Indian citizenship. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Sunday said that Williams, 32, has joined the camp in Bengaluru in the run-up to India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh away from home. The match is a dead rubber, with both India and Bangladesh out of contention in the qualification race.
Williams and 27-year-old Abneet Bharti had confirmed that they had received Indian citizenship on the same day. While Bharti had left the Nepal fold long back and has previously been called up for junior India teams, Williams’s decision to surrender his Australian passport to play for India is striking. He isn’t the first player to do so – that was Japan-born Arata Izumi, whose father was Gujarati. Izumi took Indian citizenship back in 2012 and went on to play for India 9 times in 2013 and 2014.
Williams’ decision, however, comes at a pivotal time in Indian football where the homegrown strikeforce is facing an acute shortage – a problem that saw them fail to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. His move could also pave the way for other overseas-based players with Indian roots who are willing to give up foreign citizenship to represent the country.
“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,” Williams posted on his social media platforms. “India, I’m one of your own!”
Williams’ mother was born in an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, and his maternal grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, played for Bombay in the Santosh Trophy in the 1950s. In 2018, his twin brother Aryn played in the Indian league for NEROCA FC, and a couple of years ago, Williams followed in his footsteps by signing for Indian Super League giants Bengaluru FC.
Williams has played for Australia at the U-20 and U-23 levels, and made a senior team appearance in 2019 – coming on as a second-half substitute during a friendly against South Korea.
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