Ryan Williams has embarked on a significant new journey in Indian football after officially giving up his Australian passport to become a citizen of India. At 32 years old, Williams joins an exclusive group as only the second player to transition under the All India Football Federation’s initiative aimed at incorporating Overseas Citizens of India into the national team.
The citizenship ceremony took place at Bengaluru FC’s training ground and was notably officiated by Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri. Williams was surrounded by the support of his family, officials from Bengaluru FC, and the Karnataka State Football Association, with the final approval secured from New Delhi.
With his new Indian citizenship, Williams is now eligible to represent the Blue Tigers and is set to join the national camp in Bengaluru in preparation for their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18.
Ryan Williams has a deep-rooted connection to India, as his mother is of Anglo-Indian descent from Mumbai, while his father is from England. His grandfather, Lincoln “Linky” Grostate, laid the groundwork for this legacy by representing Bombay in the Santosh Trophy during the 1950s. Williams began his football journey in Australia before moving to England, where he joined Portsmouth’s academy in 2010 and soon made his senior debut.
His career has taken him through various clubs in England, including Fulham, Gillingham, Oxford United, Barnsley, and Rotherham United, before returning to Portsmouth and later playing for Perth Glory in Australia.
Williams made the move to Indian football in 2022, signing with Bengaluru FC. On the international stage, he represented Australia in youth tournaments and earned his lone senior cap in a friendly against South Korea in 2019. His aspiration to represent India was brought to the attention of the AIFF by Sunil Chhetri. Given India’s regulations against dual citizenship, Williams had to completely renounce his Australian nationality to play for the country, in line with the 2008 Sports Ministry policy established under MS Gill.
The AIFF’s recent strategy includes fostering a broader talent pool by welcoming players of Indian heritage who are willing to forgo foreign citizenship. Williams’ inclusion on the national team highlights a progressive shift in the federation’s approach, providing clearer paths for overseas-origin players to participate.
As India prepares for their upcoming match against Bangladesh, Williams’ status remains uncertain, pending the issuance of a No Objection Certificate and subsequent approvals from FIFA and the AFC. The AIFF is working diligently to finalize the paperwork, and there is an optimistic atmosphere among fans and team officials that Williams will be ready in time for his potential debut. His arrival is seen not merely as a personal milestone, but as a momentous opportunity for Indian football, hinting at a new era of inclusivity and strengthened competition.