The members of India’s 1983 and 2011 Cricket World Cup winning teams have been invited to watch the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

The official invitation was made by a senior official associated with the next FIFA World Cup as he admitted that cricket is a huge sport in India.

“It is safe to say that this world cup (Qatar 2022) is for all of us to celebrate. I think I have to say, we look forward to welcoming you there (in Qatar),” Nasser Al Khater, CEO, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, said at an awards function in Mumbai on Sunday.

“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 added.

Khater also extended a special invitation to footballers from India.

Team India won its maiden World Cup under the leadership of the legendary Kapil Dev way back in 1983 in England, while the 2011 triumph was led by the dynamic wicketkeeper batsman MS Dhoni on the home shores.

(With PTI inputs)