Ryan Williams has travelled with the national team to Bangladesh Panaji: Ryan Williams has been included in the India squad for the trip to Dhaka but his inclusion in the team for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 final round qualifier against Bangladesh will depend on a no objection certificate (NOC) from Australia.Williams surrendered his Australian citizenship earlier this month to take up an Indian passport, which makes him eligible to represent the national team. Coach Khalid Jamil included the Bengaluru FC forward among the probables and he has now even made the trip to Bangladesh.“While forward Ryan Williams, who recently obtained an Indian passport, will travel to Bangladesh, his inclusion in the matchday squad is subject to the receipt of a No Objection Certificate from Football Australia and the subsequent approvals from FIFA and AFC,” the AIFF said in a statement on Saturday.Williams, 32, represented Australia juniors in international tournaments and even made a senior team appearance in a non-competitive game for his country against South Korea. He comes from a strong football background, starting with his maternal grandfather Lincoln Grostate, who troubled defences while playing for Central Railway SC, Tatas and Bombay at the Santosh Trophy, once even defeating the mighty Bengal with nine international players.Both his brothers have also played professional football with Rhys representing Australia.Jamil has announced a 23-member squad that travelled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifier on Nov 18.The Blue Tigers, who had been camping in Bengaluru since Nov 6, arrived in Dhaka on Saturday evening.The squad: Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hrithik Tiwari, Sahil; defenders: Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bikash Yumnam, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan; midfielders: Brison Fernandes, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh; forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mohammed Sanan, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams and Vikram Partap Singh.
