AIFF calls up two overseas-based players for national football team camp

New Delhi: The All India Football Federation has called up two overseas-based players - Ryan Williams and Abneet Bharti - for the national camp ahead of their AFC Asian Cup qualifier away in Bangladesh on November 18.

Bengaluru FC forward Williams represented Australia at U-20, U-23 levels and earned a cap with the senior team in 2019 but traded his Australian passport for an Indian one to be eligible to play for India.

The Perth-born joined BFC in 2013 after spells at English clubs Fulham and Portsmouth while his twin brother Aryn has played for NEROCA FC in the I-League.

The 31-year-old Williams' mother was born into an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai and earlier this year, he wished to take up Indian citizenship and play for the national team.

"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. As you can see, the last round of interviews was the hardest. India, I’m one of your own!” Williams said on Instagram.

Defender Bharti in currently based in Brazil and represents Bolivian first division club Academia del Balompie Boliviano.

The 27-year-old is an Indian citizen who began his career with Shastri FC in New Delhi before moving to Singapore's Geylang International’s youth setup.

He then had spells in Poland, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, the Czech Republic and Bolivia and turned out for Kerala Blasters in 2019-20.

India are out of the race to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup and Khalid Jamil now looks to build a new core of players that would serve the national team in the future.

The AIFF is keen to find more professional players who are Indian passport holders and plying their trade abroad.