India men’s football head coach Khalid Jamil believes the national team urgently needs to expand its squad by including more players of Indian origin from overseas. The call comes as India are experiencing one of their darkest stretches in years – slipping to their worst FIFA rankings in nearly a decade, losing to Bangladesh earlier this month and operating amid uncertainty over the immediate future of the ISL.
The recent introduction of Ryan Williamswho secured FIFA clearance and completed his move to India reinforced this thinking. The arrival of Williams brought a rare boost of experience and intensity to a side that looked short on sharpness. But for Jamil, one reinforcement cannot cover bigger problems. Speaking to RevvSports, Jamil emphasized that more players of Indian origin with overseas training should be added to the squad to bridge these gaps.
“Now that we have taken players like (Ryan) Williams, we need to take more players like him (overseas player of Indian origin),” Jamil said. “But we also have to see that the players who are available for selection, we have to select him. Because I need time to prepare, not only during the FIFA window. We have to select players who want to play for the nation, want to play positively, we have to select them,” he said.
With domestic structures faltering and the national team struggling for rhythm, Jamil feels a trip to the diaspora is no longer a luxury but a practical necessity. The defeat to Bangladesh revealed fundamental problems: a lack of cohesion, tired legs and a distinct gap in decision-making.
His concerns about limited preparation time are compounded by the chaos in domestic football. With the ISL yet to be finalized for the upcoming season – after the league’s selection process failed to attract any interest – Indian players have not seen consistent, high-quality competitive minutes. This instability carried over directly to the national team, making each camp more of a scramble than a continuation.
Looking ahead, Jamil identified a major short-term goal: the Asian Games next year. If India participates, it plans to field an U-23 core supported by “three to four senior players” for balance. He emphasizes volume and continuity: “The more games we play, the better,” he said.
As Indian football goes through one of its toughest times, Jamil’s message is clear – expanding the player base is essential, but regaining competitiveness will require sustained preparation and a squad fully aligned with the national vision.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
November 29, 2025
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