The great depression has struck. It is sweeping through vast swaths of land on both sides of the Himalayas, drowning in sorrow a sizable chunk of humanity.

Lest you be alarmed, this isn't about melting glaciers or economic downturns. It is only how I imagine many soccer fans in China and neighboring India are viewing the end of the FIFA World Cup 2014.

The "biggest show on earth" has entertained people in the world's two most populous countries as much as it has elsewhere. But the televised tournament also kindled hope in these two nations that someday their teams will qualify for the World Cup.