Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Ryan Williams Called Up to Indian National Team Camp
A football player named Ryan Williams, who plays for a team in India but is originally from Australia, has been invited to train with the Indian national team.
He has Indian roots because his mom was born in India and he recently got an Indian passport.
Another player, Abneet Bharti, who plays in Bolivia and has an Indian passport, will also join the training.
They are getting ready for a game against Bangladesh that is part of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup.
The training starts soon in a city called Bengaluru, and the game is in another country, Dhaka.
Even though India can't qualify for the 2027 Cup anymore, the team is still preparing for this match.
Ryan Williams first told his coach about wanting to play for India, and now his paperwork has been processed quickly with help from important people.
Both players will join the camp if they perform well, and then they might play in the actual game.
Ryan Williams, an Australian winger with Indian heritage, has been called up to the Indian national team camp.
Defender Abneet Bharti, who holds an Indian passport and plays in Bolivia, will also join the national camp.
The players are preparing for an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh, scheduled for November 18 in Dhaka.
Williams recently received his Indian passport after expressing a desire to play for India, with his application expedited.
India is already out of contention for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals.
- Who
- Ryan Williams (Bengaluru FC winger) and Abneet Bharti (defender playing in Bolivia).
- What
- Both players have been called up to the Indian men's national team camp to prepare for an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh.
- When
- The camp starts on Thursday, with the match scheduled for November 18.
- Where
- The national team camp is in Bengaluru, and the match will be played in Dhaka.
- Why
- To potentially represent India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier, with Ryan Williams having recently acquired an Indian passport and Abneet Bharti also holding one.
Player Eligibility
Path to National Team
Ryan Williams' Dual Nationality
Player Eligibility
Ryan Williams, an Australian-born winger with Indian heritage, recently received his Indian passport, making him eligible to play for the Indian national team.
Path to National Team
Williams expressed his desire to play for India and his application was expedited with the help of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey.
Abneet Bharti's Background
Player Eligibility
Abneet Bharti, a defender playing in the Bolivian League, also holds an Indian passport and has been called up to the national camp.
Path to National Team
The AIFF president noted that information about Bharti was received from the Indian embassy in Brazil.
- Player 1
- Ryan Williams (Winger)
- Player 2
- Abneet Bharti (Defender)
- Team Camp Location
- Bengaluru
- Camp Start Date
- Thursday
- Match
- AFC Asian Cup qualifier vs Bangladesh
- Match Date
- November 18
- Match Venue
- Dhaka
- Player's Heritage
- Ryan Williams has Indian roots through his mother.
Sources
Sunil Chhetri missing as India name probables for Bangladesh football match in November
Khalid Jamil Names Probables For AFC Asian Cup Qualifier Against Bangladesh, Sunil Chhetri, Liston Colaco Miss Out
Chhetri left out of India squad for Bangladesh clash
Khalid Jamil names probables for Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh; Chhetri misses out
