Former Perth Glory winger Ryan Williams has relinquished his Australian citizenship to represent India, as confirmed by his current club Bengaluru FC to Reuters on Friday. The 32-year-old player previously played for Australia at the 2013 Under-20 World Cup and made a senior appearance in a 2019 friendly against South Korea, featuring for 17 minutes.
Beginning his professional career in 2011 in the English Championship, the second division of English football, Williams played for teams like Portsmouth, Rotherham United, and Oxford United before moving to Perth Glory in 2022 and later Bengaluru in 2023.
Williams, who has ancestral ties to India through his mother who was born there, became eligible for an Indian passport after a lengthy process spanning approximately two years. Due to India’s policy of not allowing dual citizenship, Williams had to renounce his Australian passport.
Reflecting on his decision, Williams shared with The Times of India, “One of the things my late grandfather expressed was, ‘Please go and play in India.’ The passport acquisition process was challenging, but the choice was clear.” He added, “There’s significant family history here. My mother’s birthplace, my grandparents, and even my great grandparents. My grandmother maintains an old scrapbook filled with pictures… It feels like completing a circle.”
It is anticipated that Williams will be called up by national team coach Khalid Jamil for the upcoming 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, where India is scheduled to play against Bangladesh on November 18. Expressing his excitement, Williams stated, “The decision to represent India was deeply contemplated by my family and me. Making my debut for the national team is the pinnacle moment for any professional footballer. I have eagerly awaited this opportunity for a long time.”