Ryan Williams has obtained his No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Football Australia but will not make his debut for India in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Bangladesh. Despite his recent switch in allegiance to represent India, the Bengaluru FC forward is set to miss the game in Dhaka today, prolonging his wait to don the Indian jersey.
Head coach Khalid Jamil had previously announced a 23-member squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, sparking anticipation among fans regarding Williams’ potential debut as the former Australia international clarified his eligibility requirements. However, the excitement was tempered as Williams still requires final approval from FIFA for official registration as an Indian player.
According to Times of India journalist Marcus Mergulhao, the situation stems from the need for FIFA’s authorization before he can be included in the squad. Furthermore, matchday rosters must be finalized the night before the game by 11:59 pm, which meant that Williams could not be included due to the timing of his approvals.
Mergulhao highlighted this requirement on social media, stating, “Ryan Williams has received his NOC from Football Australia but will not be part of the India squad against Bangladesh today. Ryan needs approval from FIFA before registration. Also, matchday squads need to be completed on matchday minus one, which is 11:59 pm last night.”
While Williams was listed in the initial squad, he remains in limbo awaiting the necessary clearances for his international transfer. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that although he has acquired an Indian passport, his matchday inclusion hinges on receiving both the NOC from Football Australia and subsequent approvals from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Once this red tape is navigated, Williams will be eligible to represent India officially. The match against Bangladesh, however, carries little significance for India following their previous loss to Singapore, which eliminated them from contention in the AFC Asian Cup qualification race. The postponement of Williams’ debut highlights the complexities involved in international player transfers and the administrative processes that accompany them.