Ryan Williams is all set to make his India debut after being included in the 23-man squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Hong Kong in Kochi on March 31.The Australian-born forward was inducted after FIFA approved his change of association, allowing him to represent India at the senior level. He was earlier part of the preparation camp for the Bangladesh qualifiers but could not make the squad due to pending paperwork.Now that the formalities are over, the 31-year-old winger can take part in the upcoming match.India are already out of contention to qualify, but the team will look to finish their campaign on a positive note with experienced players and younger names.
Who is Ryan Williams?
Williams, whose mother hails from an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, will become only the second foreign player of Indian origin to represent the country after Artha Uzumi, who played for India between 2013 and 2014.Currently with Bengaluru FC In the Indian Super League (ISL), Williams gave up his Australian passport last year to qualify for India.Born in Perth in 1993, he began his professional career in England in 2010 with Portsmouth FC. He started his senior career a year later against Middlesbrough FC and later had spells with Fulham FC and Barnsley FC.Internationally, Williams has represented Australia in youth tournaments, including the AFC U-19 Championship in 2012 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2013. His only senior appearance for Australia came in a friendly against South Korea in 2019, a non-competitive match that allowed him to switch allegiance under FIFA rules.The Indian football team started its camp in Kochi on Tuesday, with 20 players and staff gathered. Defender Anwar Ali, midfielder Jackson Singh Thonavajam, and forward Edmond Lalrandika are set to join later following their club commitments.India head coach Khalid Jameel said, “This is a good opportunity for us to build the future.”“We have a lot of talented players coming through, who are currently with the U20 and U23 national teams, playing in the SAFF U20 Championship in the Maldives and the U23 Tri-Trial in Arunachal Pradesh.“Our assistant coach Mahesh is leading the U20s himself, which will help us familiarize ourselves with the system here with the senior team.”
