A senior official from FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has extended an invitation to the cricket World Cup winning teams of 1983 and 2011 for football's quadrennial showpiece. The invitation has also been extended to the Indian footballers. Nasser Al Khater, CEO, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 admitted that cricket is a big sport in India. "It is safe to say that this World Cup (in Qatar in 2022) is for all of us to celebrate. I think I have to say, we look forward to welcoming you there (in Qatar)," he said at an awards function in Mumbai.

"I did not realise how big cricket was in India, so I know that there are some members from the 1983 World Cup winning team, that beat the West Indies, are here (at the awards function), and there are members from the team that won the (cricket) World Cup in 2011. I extend you a special invitation to come and attend the football world cup in Qatar,” he further said.

India has won a couple of World Cups one in 1983 and the other in 2011. In 1983, India under the leadership of Kapil Dev went on to beat the West Indies in England to lift the trophy. Whereas in 2011, India defeated Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and lifted the trophy after 28 years. The Men in Blue were led by MS Dhoni. The next edition of the World Cup 2019 will begin in May this year. The mega-event will be hosted by England and Wales.  ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Schedule in PDF: Ticket Prices, Dates, Venue Details & Timetable Available for Download Online. 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 18, 2019 12:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).