Drake’s World Cup Bet Backfires as Argentina’s Final Defeat Costs Him $1.5 Million
Canadian rap superstar Drake has suffered another costly betting loss after Argentina fell 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, extending the long-running narrative surrounding his infamous “Drake Curse.”
The Grammy-winning artist had placed a $1.5 million wager on Argentina to defeat Spain within the regulation 90 minutes. The stake, equivalent to about KSh193.5 million, would have earned him an estimated $5.1 million payout had Lionel Messi’s side emerged victorious.
Another Costly Gamble
Drake revealed the massive bet on Friday through his Instagram account, sharing a screenshot of the betting slip backing the defending world champions.
The post immediately caught the attention of football fans, many of whom jokingly feared it could spell trouble for Argentina because of the widely discussed “Drake Curse”—an internet superstition suggesting that teams or athletes supported by the rapper often end up losing.
One fan humorously wrote:
“Argentina’s toughest opponent isn’t Spain—it’s Drake’s $1.5 million Stake bet.”
Spain ultimately claimed the trophy with a narrow 1-0 victory, leaving Drake’s multi-million-dollar wager unsuccessful.
A String of High-Profile Betting Losses
The World Cup final is the latest in a series of expensive betting setbacks for the rapper.
Earlier this year, Drake reportedly lost $1 million after backing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, only for them to be defeated by the Seattle Seahawks.
He also lost $300,000 after predicting tennis star Jannik Sinner would overcome Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.
His luck has also deserted him in mixed martial arts. Drake previously wagered $1 million on Conor McGregor to win his UFC comeback fight, but the Irish fighter suffered a serious leg injury shortly after the bout began.
Even His Winning Prediction Went Wrong
Ironically, Drake correctly backed Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
However, because he had placed his bet on Argentina to win within regulation time, the match’s eventual penalty shootout victory over France meant the wager was still graded as a loss, despite Argentina lifting the trophy.
Questions Over His Betting Partnership
Drake’s high-profile betting activity has also prompted speculation among fans due to his commercial partnership with online betting platform Stake.
The rapper has featured prominently in the company’s promotional campaigns, including one celebrating a reported $30 million win.
That relationship has also drawn legal scrutiny. Drake is currently named in a federal class-action lawsuit alleging he promoted the platform while allegedly gambling with company funds rather than his own money. The allegations remain contested.
The latest World Cup loss has once again fueled online debate, with some social media users questioning whether Drake’s wagers involve his own money, while others continued to joke that his support remains an unwanted omen for sports teams.
