Iran became the latest Asian country to exit the World Cup 2022, and I have to say that things are not looking good for our continent. Technically speaking, Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia could all qualify beyond the group stage. However, in their respective fixtures, Japan and South Korea would have to beat Spain and Portugal, two teams that are fairly on top of their game right now. It will not be, to put it very mildly, easy.

Saudi Arabia's qualification picture is less daunting but poses its own set of challenges, but I will not delve into the various permutations. Suffice to say that if Saudi Arabia were to go through to the second round, it would most likely be at Argentina's expense.

The aforementioned challenges arise mostly because we live in Bangladesh. As we are all painfully or happily aware of, there are many Argentina fans in this country. Argentina's failure to go past the first round would thus likely trigger mass heartbreak and hysteria.

My friend, Nazim Farhan Chowdhury, provided the following calculations. It may be a little simplistic, but I don't think it is that far off the mark. With Bangladesh's population being 170 million and assuming that at least eighty per cent of our people follow the World Cup, it would mean that there are 136 million football fans in the country. Now, assuming at least 45 per cent of the 136 million support Argentina, it implies we have 61 million Albiceleste supporters in Bangladesh.

Not quiet and casual supporters mind you, rather 61 million loudly passionate fans. Compare that to Argentina's total population of 46 million, you understand why we are becoming globally famous as a World Cup crazy nation, and why a bad end to Argentina's run makes me gravely concerned.

Now a word in the defence of my people -- by my people, I mean the proud and slightly energetic men and women of my home district Brahmanbaria. It seems to me that every time there is a contentious situation in the sporting world, especially relating to a Brazil or Argentina game, some people take great pleasure in contemplating the duress that the Superintendent of Police in Brahmanbaria must be under.

To these people I say, look at what happened in Brussels after the Morocco game. To these people I say, look at how well-behaved we have been through the first round of World Cup 2022. To my people I say, regardless of what happened last night, please keep things under control and let the naysayers worry about the SP of Brussels from here on instead.