“The 2024 UEFA Euro Cup & Copa America: Predictions Are Correct”
2024 UEFA Euro Cup
My prediction: Spain are champs!
My UEFA Euro prediction came true. At the outset, it may look like I’m bragging. Absolutely not. It’s just reflection. Reflection on yet another prediction that was correct. Let’s skip ahead. See below prediction…
2024 Copa America
My prediction: Argentina are champs!
Another correct prediction! Again, does it look like I’m bragging? What am I supposed to do? Predict two tournaments correctly and not mention it?
How do my predictions work?
What makes a successful prediction? As mentioned in THE Women’s World Cup 2019 Book, and elsewhere, it comes down to a few crucial factors that are tells. One would be the overall history of a nation. History repeats itself. The others are in there.
2024 UEFA Euro Summary
Back to the 2024 UEFA Euro. Prior to the championship match, it was my feeling that Spain, Italy, and England had a strong shot. Many said France. Germany was a contender as well. Though, despite my prediction going to Spain, I had a feeling about England. On top of that, I wanted England to win. Poor England can’t get it right. Since 1966, wherein it won the FIFA World Cup, we’re talking about disappointment after disappointment, with really good teams. It’s similar to watching the Chicago Cubs struggle season after season. You might not be a Cubs fan, but if you appreciate baseball you’re kind of rooting for them. Nonetheless, even with England having a strong run this year, I had to stay with my prediction: Spain.
Overall, England’s been knocking on the door of greatness for a while. It’s always a team that’s going to be a contender. But there’s been the “England curse” for so long that you kind of have to push England aside. Whether that “curse” is true or not, there’s something psychological going on with the players each time a big game comes around and the result tends to go the other way.
Spain, on the other hand, are the masters of possession. When the others look weak, I sometimes put more stock in Spain. No matter what, it will deliver a passing clinic. So, if others are so-so then look to Spain to lull everyone to sleep and tally up wins along the way. Essentially, Spain’s overriding confidence in passing came through in 2024. A spectacular year for Spanish football. 
2024 Copa America Summary
Why did I choose Argentina? Is it not obvious? Brazil’s terrible, Colombia is never that impressive, Ecuador is never that impressive, Uruguay isn’t overwhelmingly snazzy, and you’re left with Argentina. In past years, 2015 and 2016, Chile (oddly enough) produced some of the best soccer in South American history. Typically, you can count on Brazil to lead the pack. With an injury to Neymar, things were not very promising. Add to that, Brazil’s lineup was suffering from some kind of syndrome that is mysteriously un-Brazilian in nature that some might call “terrible soccer.”
Argentina was the obvious choice. The team’s on a roll with the recent FIFA World Cup championship in 2022. Messi’s still productive and the squad is very balanced with attacking threats, good possession and overall confidence. Will Messi, who was injured in the final, return for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? It’s possible that he’ll play a limited role for inspiration. It’s yet to be seen. Some think the 2024 Copa America was his last major tournament.
All in all, it’s been a magical run for Argentina with championships in the 2021 Copa America, 2022 FIFA World Cup, and 2024 Copa America.
Back to my colossal predictions. Are these World Records? I will venture to say it is. Here’s why: In the past five years, who else has gotten all these “major tournament predictions correct?”
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 Champs: United States
MLS Cup 2020 Champs: Portland
UEFA Euro 2020-21 Champs: Italy
Champions League 2022 Champs: Real Madrid
Champions League 2024 Champs: Real Madrid
UEFA Euro 2024 Champs: Spain
Copa America 2024 Champs: Argentina
I can’t think of anyone. If they exist, send me an email.
Call it a World Record? I will. I have a 7- and 8-year-old under my wing. As a result, I have to constantly watch Minecraft, perhaps the “greatest” game in the world. Some might say it’s “Oscar-worthy.” I don’t know who those people are but they might exist. If guys playing Minecraft, real winners, are setting “World Records” then so am I.
It seems they’re setting “World Records” constantly for “jumping over 48 blocks–a World Record!” or “chopping down five trees in 30 seconds–a World Record!” It never stops. It’s totally unregulated. But if they’re setting records: I’m setting records. Let’s start there.
Shane Stay is a bestselling author; his most recent book is This is Our City. He has also written The Euro 2020 Book, European Soccer Leagues 2019, Major League Soccer 2019, The Women’s World Cup 2019 Book, The World Cup 2018 Book, Why American Soccer Isn’t There Yet, and The Cairo Project. In 2008, he played professional soccer with St. Louis Illusion. During his career as a soccer player, he earned a Missouri club state championship with Busch Soccer Club and a Holland Cup championship with a Metro East team. In 1999, he founded the first online Current Events Game (CE Game). He has appeared on TV and has featured on numerous radio broadcasts including ESPN and NPR.