Using a unique algorithm a German mathematician has correctly predicted the winners of each World Cup since 2014 and has revealed his choice for this summer’s tournament
A German mathematician who has predicted the last three winners of the World Cup has backed the Netherlands to come out on top this summer.
Joachim Klement has used his algorithm to correctly guess the last three teams to rule the globe. It began when he backed his homeland to win the World Cup in 2014, and was then correct when he picked France in 2018 and Argentina four years ago.
Klement’s model takes into account several factors, which includes each country’s GDP per capita. He does so because he believes it influences a nations’ sports infrastructure, population size and the team’s position in the world rankings.
Using that theory he has backed the Dutch, led by Ronald Koeman, to win the World Cup for the first time ever. They’ve been runners-up on three occasions, most recently in 2010, and their only major tournament success was at Euro 88.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page
Klement claims the Netherlands will beat Spain in the semi-final before downing Portugal in the final in New York. He has tipped England to make the last four, where they will lose to Cristiano Ronaldo and co.
The Netherlands, who are ranked eighth in the world rankings, are in a group with Japan, Sweden and Tunisia – which they are favourites to progress from. The Dutch have lost just one of their last 16 games inside 90 minutes.
The German has confessed in the past though that his predictions should not be taken as fact, with a fair amount of chance factored in. He said: “It’s completely irrational. It’s like playing the lottery. I always say that if anyone places a bet based on my prediction of who will be the next world champion, they’re beyond help.
“It’s like tossing a coin. You might predict that the coin will land on heads four times in a row rather than tails, and that might well happen. But that doesn’t guarantee it will happen again next time.”
Klement confessed that when he saw Germany win in 2014, beating Argentina in the final, he was shocked given the struggles of European nations in South America, where that tournament was held.
“The first time I was horrified when Germany became world champions in Brazil, also because all the experts had pointed out that no European team had ever won a World Cup in South America,” he said.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’
from £4.50
Sky
Get the deal here
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
