Australian Ryan Williams, Nepali-Origin Abneet Bharti Join Indian Football Team Camp Ahead of AFC Asian Cup Qualifier: Report

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Ex Australian winger Ryan Williams and Nepal-born defender Abneet Bharti have been called up to the Indian men's national football team camp in Bengaluru, ahead of their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh later this month.

According to AIFF sources as reported by ESPN, both players are part of Khalid Jamil's plans to evaluate fresh options for the upcoming international window. However, while Bharti's participation is straightforward, Williams' inclusion is pending a few formalities.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is currently awaiting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Football Australia, his previous federation, to complete the paperwork confirming his switch of allegiance. The process is expected to conclude before the end of the week.

Williams, 31, made a single senior appearance for Australia against South Korea in 2019 but has been playing club football in India since 2023, when he joined Bengaluru FC from Perth Glory. Over the past year, he has also been in the process of obtaining an Indian passport, which required him to relinquish his Australian citizenship, as India does not permit dual nationality.

His Indian roots trace back to his mother's Anglo-Indian family from Mumbai, making him eligible to represent India once his documentation is finalized. Interestingly, his twin brother Aryn Williams also played in India for NEROCA FC and once expressed a similar desire to don the Indian jersey before the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed his stint.

Meanwhile, Abneet Bharti, 26, has joined the camp on a trial basis, with his future in the national setup hinging on his performances over the next few weeks. Eligible to play for both Nepal and India, Bharti has carved an unconventional career path-having developed his game entirely outside South Asia.

He currently features for Academia del Balompié Boliviano in Bolivia, on loan from Czech side FK Varnsdorf. Bharti began his football journey at just 14, joining Geylang International's academy in Singapore before spells in Europe and South America shaped his career.

With India already out of the AFC Asian Cup qualification race, this camp offers an opportunity for Khalid to experiment with new faces and inject fresh energy into the squad ahead of the next competitive cycle.