The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday named a 23-member Indian squad that will travel to Dhaka for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier Saudi Arabia 2027 against Bangladesh.
While the announcement features several expected names across all positions, the biggest talking point is the conditional inclusion of Bengaluru FC winger Ryan Williams, who could become one of the most significant additions to the Indian national team in years if regulatory approvals arrive in time.
Williams, who recently completed the legal process to acquire Indian citizenship, has trained with the national team since early November. His naturalization journey, accelerated by coordination between the AIFF and government ministries, marked a symbolic moment for Indian football. Yet, despite possessing an Indian passport, the 31-year-old must wait for international clearance before he can be named in a matchday squad.
According to the AIFF, Williams’ eligibility for the Dhaka qualifier depends on two final steps:
- A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Football Australia, his former association.
- Subsequent approval from both FIFA’s Players’ Status Committee (PSC) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Until all three bodies sign off on his switch, he cannot take the field for India.
A Landmark Case in Indian Football
Williams’ case is unusual but not unprecedented. Born in Perth, he represented Australia at the U-20 and U-23 levels and made a single senior appearance in a friendly against South Korea in 2019. Under FIFA’s revised eligibility rules, a player with such limited senior involvement can request a Change of Association, provided he holds the nationality of the new country and meets specific connection criteria.
Williams qualifies through ancestry: his mother was born in Mumbai, establishing a clear legal link under FIFA Regulation 9. His renunciation of Australian citizenship required under Indian law, which prohibits dual nationality completed the domestic requirement for representing India.
Yet the Change of Association process is not instantaneous. Even after a former federation issues an NOC, FIFA’s PSC must examine the application, assess compliance with its technical regulations, and issue a formal decision. Only then can the AFC validate his registration for continental competition.
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This multi-layered chain of approvals creates uncertainty for the November 18 fixture in Dhaka. The Indian team departs on November 15, and while the AIFF is optimistic, international administrative timelines are often unpredictable.
The Strategic Importance of Williams
Regardless of when he receives clearance, Williams is widely expected to become an important figure in India’s attacking setup. Since joining Bengaluru FC in 2023, he has impressed with his pace, direct running, and versatility across the frontline. His experience in English football with clubs such as Fulham, Portsmouth, Oxford United and Rotherham United adds qualities that Indian football has long sought in the final third.
Indian head coach Khalid Jamil has repeatedly emphasised the need for greater attacking sharpness. With Sunil Chhetri retired, India enters a period of tactical recalibration, particularly in the wide areas and transitional phases. Williams brings both experience and a profile unlike most wingers currently available he is comfortable carrying the ball over long distances, thrives in open space, and can operate as a creator or a finisher.
Even his presence in training sessions contributes to the squad’s evolution, offering younger players exposure to different styles of movement, pressing patterns, and off-ball intelligence.
A New Pathway for Diaspora Talent?
Williams’ naturalization is also significant in a broader policy context. For decades, India’s prohibition of dual citizenship has limited its ability to tap into a growing pool of Indian-origin footballers abroad. Players in the UK, Australia, Canada, and Europe who express interest are unable to represent India unless they fully renounce their existing citizenship a sacrifice most are unwilling to make.
Williams’ case shows that pathways do exist, provided players demonstrate full commitment. His move to India, long-term ISL participation, and eventual renunciation of his Australian passport illustrate a blueprint albeit a demanding one. The AIFF sees strategic potential here. If the Williams case is processed efficiently, it sets a precedent that could encourage more Indian-origin players to consider the switch, especially those with deep personal or professional connections to the country.
His inclusion in the Dhaka-bound squad despite uncertainty about clearance signals intent from the federation: India is willing to pursue diaspora talent seriously.
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For now, the focus shifts back to the pitch. The qualifier against Bangladesh is a pivotal fixture, one India must approach with urgency. Recent meetings between the two sides have been tightly contested, and the Dhaka atmosphere is expected to be intense. Khalid Jamil’s selection reflects a careful balance of experience and youth. The squad retains the backbone provided by veterans like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Rahul Bheke, while incorporating younger players who have shown growth in domestic competitions.
In midfield, India fields a mobile, energetic group capable of pressing aggressively and recycling possession efficiently. The attack, meanwhile, contains pace and flair but has lacked consistency in finishing another reason Williams’ eventual integration is seen as vital.
Even if FICA approvals do not arrive in time for the Dhaka match, Williams is expected to feature in India’s next international window, making his debut a matter of when, not if.
India’s 23-Member Travelling Squad to Bangladesh
Goalkeepers:
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
- Hrithik Tiwari
- Sahil
Defenders:
- Akash Mishra
- Anwar Ali
- Bikash Yumnam
- Hmingthanmawia Ralte
- Jay Gupta
- Pramveer
- Rahul Bheke
- Sandesh Jhingan
Midfielders:
- Brison Fernandes
- Lalremtluanga Fanai
- Macarton Louis Nickson
- Mahesh Singh Naorem
- Nikhil Prabhu
- Suresh Singh Wangjam
Forwards:
- Edmund Lalrindika
- Lallianzuala Chhangte
- Mohammed Sanan
- Rahim Ali
- Ryan Williams*
- Vikram Pratap Singh
(*Subject to NOC from Football Australia and final FIFA/AFC approval.)
