Australian Ryan Williams becomes Indian, joins national camp for Asian Cup qualifier

Former Australian winger Ryan Williams has changed his nationality to represent the Indian men's football team, reportedly becoming the first foreigner to play for the Blue Tigers.

Williams has an Indian ancestry as his mother was born in an Anglo-Indian family in Mumbai.

Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC, where Williams plays, confirmed the development on Thursday, hours after reports emerged that the 31-year-old has joined the ongoing national camp in Bengaluru.

Williams had to attain an Indian passport and give up his Australian one to become eligible to play for India, as the country does not accept players who possess dual citizenship.

Williams' addition to Khalid Jamil's side is a big boost to the Indian men's team. He represented the Socceroos in 2019.

It is also understood that defender Abneet Bharti, who has played abroad for the majority of his career and is currently with Bolivian side ABB, has also joined the Indian camp.

Williams and Bharti did not feature in the 23-member probables list released by the All India Football Federation on Wednesday for the national camp ahead of this month's international fixture.

Williams and Bharti are likely to be part of India's AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 18.