Ryan Williams and Abneet Bharti Join Indian Football Camp for Asian Cup

In an exciting development for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced the inclusion of Ryan Williams and Abneet Bharti in the national camp as India prepares for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 18.

Starting in Bengaluru on Thursday, the camp is set to welcome both players soon. If all goes well, they will join the squad for this pivotal match.

Ryan Williams: Bridging Australia and India

A 31-year-old midfielder from Perth, Williams has played for Australia at various youth levels and made his senior debut in a 2019 friendly against South Korea. At the club level, he has represented Fulham and Portsmouth in England before signing with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League in 2023.

With deep Indian ties, Williams’ mother is from an Anglo-Indian family based in Mumbai, and his twin brother Aryn has played for teams like NEROCA FC. In an Instagram post, he expressed his appreciation for his journey towards Indian citizenship, stating, “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.”

Earlier this year, Williams voiced his desire to become an Indian citizen, a process that necessitated renouncing his Australian passport. He has since obtained an Indian passport. According to AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey, it was Sunil Chhetri who first highlighted Williams’ aspirations to represent India.

Bharti, 27, an Indian citizen residing in Brazil, currently plays for Academia del Balompié Boliviano (ABB), a Bolivian top-tier club. Chaubey noted, “We learned about him through the Indian embassy in Brazil; hence, we invited him to the national camp.”

Their inclusion showcases AIFF's expanding efforts to scout Indian players abroad, potentially enhancing the squad for international events. With the upcoming qualifier looming, both athletes’ integration into the squad could be crucial.