Australian-born winger Ryan Williams could soon don the blue of India, marking a remarkable twist in his football journey that has spanned continents, leagues, and national identities.
The 32-year-old Bengaluru
FC star, who has been one of the most notable overseas performers in the Indian Super League since arriving in 2023, is now just a step away from officially representing India at the international level.
Williams has scored 13 goals in 47 matches for Bengaluru FC so far, earning praise for his tireless running, creativity on the wings, and knack for scoring in crucial moments. His inclusion in the ongoing Indian national team camp in Bengaluru has sparked excitement among fans and analysts alike, as head coach Khalid Jamil looks to refresh his squad ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF), however, is still awaiting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Football Australia, his former federation, to finalize the switch. Once the paperwork is cleared, Williams will officially become eligible to represent India-thanks to his mother, who hails from an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai.
Williams began his professional career in England, coming through the youth system at Portsmouth before moving to Fulham in 2012. Although he was named in Fulham's Premier League squad, he didn't get a chance to make his top-flight debut. Over the next decade, he established himself as a reliable winger in England's lower divisions, featuring prominently in League One, League Two, and the Championship, with stints at clubs like Barnsley, Rotherham United, and Oxford United. He just played for one Australian top-flight club in Perth Glory for one season.
In 2019, Williams made his senior international debut for Australia against South Korea but remained on the fringes thereafter. His move to India in 2023 reignited his career, and his growing connection with the country-both personal and professional-has now brought him to the brink of a new chapter.
If the formalities are completed, Ryan Williams will become one of the few players to have represented two nations in his career-an inspiring story of persistence, adaptability, and rediscovered belonging.
