Rapper Drake looking intensely at a sporting event.
A Multi-Million Dollar Wager
Canadian rapper Drake has placed a massive $1.5 million bet on Argentina to defeat Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The high-profile wager has immediately reignited panic over the infamous “Drake curse.”
The superstar backed Lionel Messi’s squad to win in regulation time. He intentionally avoided the broader “to lift the trophy” market, meaning an Argentina victory in extra time or a penalty shootout will void his bet.
If Argentina secures the victory within the standard 90 minutes, Drake will walk away with a $5.175 million payout. He confirmed the move on Instagram, posting his betting slip with the caption, “What’s that saying??? Better luck next time…say less.”
The Resurgence of the Drake Curse
The “Drake curse” is a long-running sports internet superstition. Fans and athletes joke that any team or competitor publicly backed by the music star is instantly doomed to lose.
Argentina supporters quickly flooded social media with dread. One fan lamented, “Drake just cost Messi his 2nd WC,” alongside crying emojis. Another user pointedly wrote, “I will be back when Messi breaks your curse bro…”
Rival fans, meanwhile, welcomed the rapper’s financial backing. “Thank god Argentina might actually lose because of this,” one user posted.
A Track Record of Costly Bets
The rapper’s reputation for sinking sporting campaigns is backed by an extensive gambling history. According to the Spanish publication Marca, Drake has lost roughly 50 out of nearly 80 high-profile public wagers.
However, Argentina fans have a historical loophole to cling to. Drake also placed a regulation-time bet on Argentina during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.
Because that match ended in a draw after 90 minutes, Drake lost his money. Yet, Argentina still won the penalty shootout to lift the trophy, successfully dodging the curse.
A Record-Breaking World Cup Final
The 2026 clash between Argentina and Spain is expected to shatter viewership records, potentially becoming the most-watched sporting event in history. Marca reports that global betting markets are also anticipating record-breaking financial activity ahead of the match.
Demand to watch the game live has pushed average ticket prices near $19,000, making it the most expensive sporting event ever for attending spectators.
The final takes place today, Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM local time (ET).
Indian viewers can watch the live stream at 12:30 AM IST on Monday, July 20, via Zee5 (olympics.com), or tune into television broadcasts on Unite8 Sports networks and free on DD Sports.
