Kolkata, November 8: In what could be a defining twist in Indian football’s next chapter, Indian football has thrown two unexpected names into the mix ahead of the national camp — Abneet Bharti and Ryan Williams. Both players, who qualify under the PIO/NRI provision, have been called up to the India camp for the first time.

The camp begins this week in Bengaluru, as the Blue Tigers prepare for their AFC Asian Cup Qualifier clash against Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 18.

From Kathmandu to the world, the rise of Abneet Bharti.

Born on 14 July 1998 in Kathmandu, Nepal, Abneet Bharti’s, who already holds the indian passport, his footballing path reads like an odyssey. The centre-back now plays for Academia del Balompie Boliviano (ABB) in Bolivia’s first division, on loan from Czech club FK Varnsdorf.

His early years saw him turn out for Real Valladolid in Spain, before testing himself across Europe with sides like Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała, Sintrense, and even Kerala Blasters back home. From Deportivo Sol de Mayo to Atletico El Linqueno, his boots have clocked miles and stories few Indian players can match.

Eligible to represent both India and Nepal, Bharti was part of India’s U-16 national camp in 2015 but never made the final cut.

For coach Khalid Jamil, Bharti brings more than just defensive solidity, he brings global exposure, adaptability, and the calm of a player who has seen football at every altitude.

Ryan Williams — the wing that flew back home

At 31, Ryan Williams is no stranger to the big stages. The Australian-born winger, now plying his trade with Bengaluru FC, recently acquired Indian citizenship, a decision that could mark a significant shift for the national team.

Born in Perth to an Anglo-Indian mother from Mumbai, Williams’ roots stretch deep into Indian football history. His grandfather, Lincoln “Linky” Grostate, once represented Bombay in the Santosh Trophy during the 1950s.

Williams’ career has seen him weave through England’s demanding leagues with Fulham, Barnsley, Rotherham United, and Portsmouth, before returning to Australia with Perth Glory. His arrival in Bengaluru last year added spark to the Blues’ attack, where his 10 goals in 36 matches spoke for themselves.

Now, with his name on the AIFF’s list, Williams could add an entirely new dimension to India’s wings, pace, power, and the kind of composure only experience brings.

For Abneet Bharti and Ryan Williams, this is more than a call-up, it’s a homecoming of heritage, hope, and hard-earned journeys across continents. And for Indian football, it might just be the moment when scattered roots begin to grow into something larger an identity that unites.

If they shine in the Bengaluru camp, their next stop will be Dhaka, where India faces Bangladesh on November 18, and perhaps, a new chapter in Indian football’s story begins.