The Furtwangen University Bacteria Oracle. More colonies in the opponent’s penalty area predict a German victory.
Researchers at Furtwangen University predict soccer scores using gut bacteria
Here we go again − the oracle successfully developed for the 2024 European Championship at Furtwangen University (HFU) is back in action for the 2026 World Cup!
In this not-entirely-serious “bacterial oracle,” a culture of harmless E. coli bacteria thrives in a large Petri dish. A graphic of a soccer field, complete with goals in both national colours, is placed beneath the transparent bottom of the dish. According to the oracle’s logic, more goals will be scored where more colonies have developed in the goal area after a two- to three-day incubation period.
The inventor of the Bacteria Oracle is Prof. Dr. Markus Egert, who teaches at the HFU in the Faculty of Health, Medical & Life Sciences and, as a leading professor of hygiene in Germany, also conducts studies on the bacterial contamination of household items, among other things. As a soccer fan, Egert was inspired by animal oracles such as the legendary octopus Paul, who “predicted” World Cup results as early as 2010. “It’s okay to have a little fun with your own research discipline,” says Egert. For the oracle, the key is to distribute just a few bacteria very evenly across the culture medium. This allows growth to be closely observed − in the form of spots (colonies) that then appear in the two halves of the field. The Escherichia coli bacteria culture used for the oracle is otherwise employed in microbiological quality control. “We also want to use the oracle to spark interest in working with microorganisms in a practical setting,” said Egert.
Ahead of the German national team’s matches during the World Cup, the predictions from the HFU Bacteria Oracle will be posted on the university’s social media channels.