Bengaluru FC's Ryan Williams Renounces Australian Citizenship to Don India Jersey

In a move that has sent ripples of excitement through Indian football, Bengaluru FC's Australian winger, Ryan Williams, has given up his Australian citizenship to play for the Indian national team. The 32-year-old has received his Indian passport and is set to join the national camp in Bengaluru this week, with a potential debut later this month in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh.

Williams' decision marks a significant moment for Indian football, demonstrating a commitment to represent the Blue Tigers on the international stage. He becomes only the second foreign-born player, after Japanese-born Izumi Arata in 2012, to embrace Indian citizenship to play for the national team.

Born in Perth, Australia, Williams has strong Indian roots through his mother, who hails from an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai. His maternal grandfather, Lincoln Eric Grostate, was a footballer of repute in Mumbai, having played for the Tatas team and represented Bombay in the Santosh Trophy in 1956. This heritage has instilled in Williams a deep emotional connection to India.

"One of the things my grandfather, who passed away, said was, 'Please go and play in India," Williams told the Times of India. "The process (of obtaining an Indian passport) was difficult, but the decision was not. It's something that my family and I thought about a lot,".

Williams' football journey has taken him across continents. He began his youth career with ECU Joondalup before moving to England, where he represented clubs such as Portsmouth and Fulham. He also played for Perth Glory in Australia's A-League Men before joining Bengaluru FC in 2023. Williams has also represented Australia in the 2013 U20 World Cup and made a senior team appearance for the Socceroos in a friendly against South Korea.

Despite a successful career abroad, Williams felt a sense of unfulfillment. His move to India was driven by a desire to connect with his heritage and fulfill his grandfather's wish. "Making a debut for the national team is the proudest moment for any professional footballer," Williams said. "I've been waiting so long for this moment,".

Williams' transition to Indian citizenship wasn't without its challenges. India's citizenship laws prohibit dual citizenship, requiring Williams to renounce his Australian passport. The process involved approvals from various ministries and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey credited Sports Minister Manshuk Mandaviya and his ministry for their assistance in expediting the process. Chaubey also revealed that Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri, Williams' clubmate at Bengaluru FC, played a key role in initiating the move.

Williams' versatility as a winger and a wide forward adds tactical flexibility to the Indian team. His experience in the English Football League and the Indian Super League (ISL) is expected to bolster the squad. Williams has accumulated nearly 400 senior appearances, contributing 44 goals and 45 assists. In his two seasons in the ISL, he has scored 10 goals and provided 4 assists.

While Williams' addition is a positive step, it comes at a time when the Indian national side has already been eliminated from contention for both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. However, his inclusion is seen as a part of a rebuilding process, with an eye toward future tournaments. The team is scheduled to play against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on November 18, 2025.

Alongside Williams, defender Abneet Bharti is also set to join the national camp. The 27-year-old, who plays for Club A.B.B. in Bolivia, holds an Indian passport.