In a watershed moment for Indian football, former Australian winger Ryan Williams has officially become an Indian citizen, marking the first step in the AIFF’s efforts to integrate Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) into the national football set-up. Bengaluru FC teammate and Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri was given the Indian passport ceremony in a playful moment that quickly went viral among fans.
Before handing over her passport, Chhetri had Williams take a mini-quiz on Indian street food and pop culture. Williams responded with ease, jokingly declaring himself to be “one of them”, bringing smiles and a sense of celebration to the Bengaluru FC camp.
Watch the video here:
In addition to Williams, Nepal-born defender Abneet Bharti is also following the same pathhe is currently on trial at the Indian national team camp ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh. His spot in the lineup will depend on his performance during camp.
Ryan Williams’ Football Journey
Williams’ football career took him across continents. Born in Subiaco, Australia, he started out at ECU Joondalup before moving to England in 2011 to join Portsmouth. He later played for Fulham with loan spells at Gillingham, Oxford United and Barnsley, eventually signing permanently with Barnsley in 2015. Moves to Rotherham United, Portsmouth again and Oxford United preceded a short stint at Perth Glory in 2022.
In 2023, he joined Bengaluru FC where he scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 46 matches, often linking up with Chhetri.
To become an Indian citizen
Off the field, Williams completed the process of becoming an Indian citizen with the support of his family, friends, the president of the Karnataka State Association and JSW, securing approval at the ministry level in Delhi. His Indian roots come from his mother, who was born into an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai.
After playing for Australia at youth levels and earning one senior cap in a friendly in 2019, FIFA rules allow him to change his nationality.
What does this mean for Indian football
Williams’ reported inclusion in national team camp ahead of India’s upcoming AFC Asia Cup Qualifiers is the first tangible action by the AIFF to bring in OCI players. He brings speed, direct running and sharp finishing – qualities the team has lacked – and could offer new attacking options under head coach Khalid Jamil.
With his teammate Sunil Chhetri wanting India to plan for the future without him, he may have even found one guy who can try to fill that void at least to some extent.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
November 6, 2025
