Canadian rapper Drake has placed a $1.5 million (£1.12 million) bet on Argentina to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain, but football fans are convinced this spells defeat for the South American nation due to the so-called 'Drake Curse.'
Drake's Bet and the 'Curse'
The 39-year-old music star shared a screenshot on social media showing his wager on Argentina, which would net him $5.1 million (£3.8 million) if correct. However, many fans believe his track record of backing losing sides means Spain will win instead. One fan posted on X: "Argentina's toughest opponent isn't Spain, it's Drake's $1.5M Stake bet." Another joked: "Damnit. Just when I went big on [Argentina]. Might have to cash out."
Recent Losing Bets
Earlier this month, Drake bet $1 million (£740,000) on Conor McGregor winning his UFC comeback fight, but the Irish fighter was injured and lost by TKO. The website TheDrakeCurse.com tracks his betting losses, claiming he has lost $1.56 million (£1.16 million) from 87 bad bets.
World Cup Betting Records
The 2026 World Cup is on track to become the biggest gambling event ever, with financial services firm Macquarie estimating approximately $50 billion (£37.1 billion) in bets, averaging $500 million (£371 million) per match. Analyst Chad Beynon told the BBC: "Now it's all about reacting to what you're seeing on the field ... Whereas before it was kind of sit, watch, wait - you had to place your bet before the match."
Final Details
The final takes place on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with kick-off at 8pm UK time. The closing ceremony features Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, IShowSpeed, and Jennifer Hudson. A first-ever half-time show will run for 18 minutes, with performances by Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber. The event is expected to raise $100 million (£740,000) for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
