Football: Ryan Williams switches allegiance to join Blue Tigers in huge move for Indian football

by Devesh Jaganath

image Football: Ryan Williams switches allegiance to join Blue Tigers in huge move for Indian football
In a huge move for Indian football, the All India Football Federation has widened its talent pool by inviting now-former Australian international Ryan Williams to join the Blue Tigers. This move strongly indicates that the AIFF are now actively looking to bring in Indian-origin players in an attempt to improve the national team’s competitiveness.

Williams officially eligible to represent Indian national team 

After the Indian national team fell to 136th in the FIFA World Rankings after suffering elimination from the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the All India Football Federation has now taken a massive step toward improving the nation’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Kalyan Chaubey, who has come under major scrutiny in recent times, has adopted a new policy in the way that the AIFF identifies, integrates and develops football talent by looking to bring in players of Indian-origin to bolster their ranks. 

This stems from the recent move by the Federation to extend an invitation to Indian Super League outfit Bengaluru FC player Ryan Williams to switch allegiance from Australia to India in order to qualify to play for the Blue Tigers. Following the approval of his Indian passport, Williams said: 

Honoured to make official what’s long felt true… India, I’m one of your own!” 

The now-former Aussie was born in Perth and represented the Socceroos at U-20 and U-23 levels before making his senior debut against South Korea in 2019. He also played for Fulham and Portsmouth in the EFL Championship. 

However, Williams was not the only overseas star that the AIFF have brought in, as 27-year-old defender Abneet Bharti, who has played in Asia, Europe and South America, also received a call to trade Nepal for India - which he accepted. 

 

Khalid Jamil calls up Williams for India debut

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While many were unsure if or when Williams would represent India, national team head coach Khalid Jamil has now ended that speculation by including the 31-year-old in the Blue Tigers' training camp just days after he received citizenship. 

Reports indicate that Williams joined up with his new teammates this past weekend and is in contention to feature in the side’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh on the road on November 18, which will be available to follow via our football livescores. 

Williams is eligible to represent India through his mother, who was born in Mumbai, while his grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, played for Bombay in the Santosh Trophy back in the 1950s.