Ryan Williams, Abneet Bharti Join India Camp Ahead of Asian Cup

In a potential new chapter for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has included Ryan Williams and Abneet Bharti in the national camp ahead of India’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 18.

The camp began in Bengaluru on Thursday, and both players are expected to join shortly. If cleared, they will be part of the squad for the crucial fixture.

Ryan Williams: From Australia to India

Williams, a 31-year-old midfielder born in Perth, has represented Australia at the U-20 and U-23 levels and made an appearance for the senior national team in a 2019 friendly against South Korea. In club football, he has played for English teams Fulham and Portsmouth before joining Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC in 2023.

Williams has strong Indian roots: his mother hails from an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, and his twin brother Aryn has had stints with Indian clubs like NEROCA FC. In an Instagram video, Williams shared his experience attending a mock citizenship interview conducted by Sunil Chhetri, writing, “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 expressed his desire to take Indian citizenship, requiring him to renounce his Australian passport. After completing the process, he now holds an Indian passport. AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey revealed that Chhetri had first brought Williams’ wish to play for India to his attention.

Bharti, 27, is an Indian citizen currently based in Brazil. He plays for Academia del Balompié Boliviano (ABB), a top-tier Bolivian club. Chaubey explained, “We got to know of him through the Indian embassy in Brazil; we then invited him to join the national camp.”

Their inclusion reflects AIFF’s growing strategy of scouting Indian talent abroad, potentially strengthening India’s squad for international competitions. With the AFC Asian Cup qualifier approaching, both players’ integration into the team could prove vital.