Bengaluru, November 9, 2025 – In a move hailed as a significant boost for Indian football, Ryan Williams has officially been called up to the Indian Men's National Football Team after successfully obtaining his Indian citizenship. The 32-year-old Bengaluru FC midfielder completed the citizenship process, relinquishing his Australian passport to represent India on the international stage.
Williams' journey to Indian citizenship is a unique one, rooted in his family's heritage. Born in Perth, Australia, to an Anglo-Indian mother from Mumbai and an English father, Williams was eligible to represent Australia, England, Wales, and India. His maternal grandfather, Lincoln "Linky" Grostate, played for Bombay in the Santosh Trophy in the 1950s. This deep connection to India played a crucial role in Williams' decision to pursue Indian citizenship.
"Honoured to make official what's long felt true. Grateful for the love, the opportunity, and the sense of belonging this country has given me. As you can see, the last round of interviews was the hardest. India, I'm one of your own!" Williams expressed in an Instagram post.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been working to bring in Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to strengthen the national team. Williams' transition marks the second instance of an OCI player joining the Indian squad, following Japan-born Izumi Arata, who represented India in 2013 and 2014 after obtaining citizenship in 2012.
Williams' desire to play for India was initially conveyed to the AIFF by national team legend Sunil Chhetri. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey acknowledged Chhetri's role in initiating the process. The citizenship handover ceremony was also conducted by Chhetri at Bengaluru FC’s training facility.
Williams began his youth career with ECU Joondalup before moving to England to join Portsmouth FC's academy. He made his professional debut for Portsmouth in the 2011-12 season. He then played for Fulham and several other English clubs, including Oxford United, Barnsley, and Rotherham United. In 2022, he returned to Australia to play for Perth Glory before signing with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) in July 2023. Williams has also represented Australia at the U-20 and U-23 levels and made one appearance for the senior team in a friendly against South Korea in 2019.
His performance in the ISL has further solidified his reputation as a dynamic and versatile player. Williams' ability to play on either wing and his impressive work rate have made him a valuable asset to Bengaluru FC. In his second season, he scored seven goals and provided four assists, helping the club reach the 2025 ISL Cup final.
Williams has joined the national team camp in Bengaluru, coached by Khalid Jamil, to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18. His inclusion is expected to bring a new dimension to the Indian attack, combining international experience with a strong understanding of the Indian footballing landscape.
