AIFF's new policy for players; why PIO and OCI don't play for India

In a landmark move for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has called up two overseas-based players, Abneet Bharti and Ryan Williams, to the national team camp ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh. Williams recently acquired Indian citizenship by surrendering his Australian passport, a rare but significant decision showcasing the challenges and opportunities for Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) in Indian sports. 

Citizenship barriers in Indian sports

India’s sports policy, established by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2008, mandates that only Indian citizens can represent the nation internationally. This excludes Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) holders unless they renounce their foreign citizenship and obtain an Indian passport.

 

The Indian Constitution and Citizenship Act do not recognise dual citizenship, creating a legal barrier for foreign passport holders with Indian origins to represent India. The Supreme Court has upheld this policy, emphasising the government’s stance against dual citizenship in international sports representation.

FIFA eligibility rules and their impact

FIFA regulations require players to hold a valid passport of the country they represent. PIO and OCI cards do not qualify as citizenship or passports; thus, despite their Indian origins, holders must get Indian citizenship to play for India.

 

This makes it difficult for overseas-based Indian-origin players to join the national team without surrendering their foreign nationality, impacting India’s ability to field a broader talent pool.

AIFF’s approach and recent developments

The AIFF’s selection of Williams and Bharti marks a strategic shift: reaching out to Indian-passport holders or Indian-heritage players abroad to deepen the talent pool. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey has stated that the federation will actively identify Indian-passport players overseas.

 

With India currently ranked 136th in the world and having missed qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup, this policy could help rebuild the squad with fresh options.

The bigger picture

While the current legal framework restricts dual citizenship, ongoing discussions and proposed policy reconsiderations could pave the way for OCI players’ eligibility in the future. This would enable India to tap into a wider pool of overseas talent without compromising legal frameworks. The move to include foreign-born, Indian-origin players signals a broader strategy to enhance India’s international football stature through inclusive yet lawful means.