India's 1983, 2011 World Cup Winners Invited for 2022 FIFA World Cup by Qatar

Qatar, the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has invited India’s 1983, 2011 World Cup winners to attend football’s grandest event in the middle-east. Nasser Al Khater, CEO, 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar admitted cricket is a significant sport in India; thus extending his invitation for the team members to come over and enjoy football’s quadrennial showpiece. Meanwhile, Russia hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which France won for the second time – beating Croatia 4-2 in the finals.

Qatar World Cup is for all of us to celebrate – CEO

During an award function over the weekend, the CEO of the event said the Qatar World Cup is there for everyone to celebrate. Acknowledging the presence of a few of India’s 1983, 2011 World Cup winners in the audience, Nasser Al Khater added he has special invitations for all of them for 2022 World Cup. Not only this, he extended a welcome to the footballers from the country.

“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.

“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,” Khater added.

Meanwhile, it was the first time under Kapil Dev‘s captaincy when India lifted the World Cup. In 1983, India defeated hot favourites and defending champions, West Indies in the finale at Lords. 28 years later, it was MS Dhoni, the veteran skipper, who guided the Men in Blue to their second World Cup; beating Sri Lanka in the summit clash in Mumbai.