Ryan Williams can now play for India as FIFA’s Players’ Status Chamber gives approval

Williams, whose mother was born in an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, has played for Australia at the U-20 and U-23 levels, and made a senior team appearance in 2019 – coming on as a second-half substitute during a friendly against South Korea.

Ryan Williams’ decision to take up Indian citizenship and represent the national team comes at a pivotal time in Indian football where the homegrown strike force is facing an acute shortage (Photo: AIFF via X)

Ryan Williams, who gave up his Australian citizenship to be eligible to play for the Indian football team, can finally play for the Blue Tigers after the FIFA’s Players’ Status Chamber approved his eligibility to represent India. The All India Football Federation made the announcement on Thursday in a social media post on X.

Earlier this month, Williams had already earned a call up to the national team camp after successfully gaining Indian citizenship. The 32-year-old had joined the India camp in Bengaluru in the run-up to India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh away from home.

“Honoured to make official what’s long felt true. Grateful for the love, the opportunity, and the sense of belonging this country has given me,” he had posted on his social media platforms earlier this month. “India, I’m one of your own!”

Williams’ decision comes at a pivotal time in Indian football where the homegrown strikeforce is facing an acute shortage (ISL Photo)

Now the decks have been cleared by the global governing body of football, FIFA, as well for the striker to play for India.

“FIFA’s Players’ Status Chamber approves Ryan Williams’ eligibility to represent India. The 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. Throughout this process, the AIFF adhered fully to FIFA’s regulatory requirements,” the AIFF wrote in a post on X.

“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. With the ruling now in effect, Ryan Williams is officially eligible for selection to the Indian national team,” AIFF added in the post.

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Who is Ryan Williams?

Williams’ mother was born in an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai, and his maternal grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, played for Bombay in the Santosh Trophy in the 1950s. In 2018, his twin brother Aryn played in the Indian league for NEROCA FC, and a couple of years ago, Williams followed in his footsteps by signing for Indian Super League giants Bengaluru FC.

Ryan Williams’ decision comes at a pivotal time in Indian football where the homegrown strikeforce is facing an acute shortage. (Ryan Williams – Instagram)

Williams has played for Australia at the U-20 and U-23 levels, and made a senior team appearance in 2019 – coming on as a second-half substitute during a friendly against South Korea.

He first expressed his desire to give up his Australian passport earlier this year. “Sunil Chhetri gave the first information about Ryan Williams, who wants to play for India by giving up his Australian passport. From then on, the process started,” AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.