Ryan Williams has joined the Indian national football team for their upcoming match against Bangladesh as part of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 final round qualifiers. Williams, who recently relinquished his Australian citizenship to obtain an Indian passport, is considered a valuable addition to the squad. However, his participation in the match will hinge on the receipt of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Football Australia, along with the necessary approvals from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
At 32 years old, Williams has a notable football pedigree, having represented Australia at various youth levels and making a senior appearance in a non-competitive match against South Korea. His footballing lineage runs deep, with his grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, having made significant contributions to the sport in India.
Coach Khalid Jamil has named a 23-member squad that has traveled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the crucial qualifier scheduled for November 18. The Blue Tigers, since embarking on their training camp in Bengaluru on November 6, are well-prepared for the upcoming challenge.
The squad includes goalkeepers Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Hrithik Tiwari, as well as a roster of skilled defenders and midfielders like Akash Mishra and Sandesh Jhingan. The team looks set to give their all in their pursuit of a place in the prestigious tournament, with players like Williams potentially adding to their strength.
As the team gears up for their match against Bangladesh, fans remain hopeful that they will deliver a strong performance.