Ryan Williams eligible for Indian duty after FIFA approval
Born in Perth, the 32-year-old relinquished his Australian passport to become an Indian citizen.
New Delhi: Forward Ryan Williams is eligible to represent India in international football after FIFA approved his request to change nationality on Thursday.
Born in Perth, the 32-year-old relinquished his Australian passport to become an Indian citizen and had travelled with Khalid Jamil's team to Dhaka for India's AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18.
He watched from the stands as India lost 1-0 at the National stadium and was not included in the match day squad as he awaited FIFA clearance, having received the no-objection certificate from Australia.
"FIFA's Players' Status Chamber issued its final decision on November 19, 2025, approving the change of association request for Ryan Williams, thereby making him formally eligible to represent the Indian national team," the AIFF said in a statement.
"With the ruling now in effect, Ryan Williams is officially eligible for selection to the Indian national team."
Second naturalised player
His mother was born in Mumbai while his father was born in Kent, England, and has represented Australia in the U-20 and U-23 levels, along with a cap for the senior team.
He came on the pitch as a second-half substitute during Australia's friendly against South Korea in 2019.
At the club level, the predominantly left footer has represented English clubs Fulham and Portsmouth, before joining Bengaluru FC in 2023.
"Following the submission, FIFA's Players’ Status Chamber reviewed the request in alignment with the standards set out in the RGAS. The Chamber delivered its decision on November 19, confirming that all eligibility criteria had been satisfied and approving the player's change of association to India," the AIFF said, adding that it "adhered fully to FIFA's regulatory requirements throughout the process".
Williams is the second foreign-origin player, after Izumi Arata, to take up Indian citizenship and play for the national team.
Japan-born Arata became eligible in 2012 and featured in nine matches for the men's senior team between 2013 and 2014.