Drake’s reputation for making headline-grabbing sports wagers took another costly hit after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The Canadian rapper lost a reported $1.5 million after betting on Argentina to defeat Spain in regulation. Instead, Spain captured the World Cup title with a 1-0 victory in extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Hours before kickoff, Drake shared a screenshot of his betting slip on social media. The wager showed he had placed $1.5 million on Argentina to win within the first 90 minutes. Had the bet been successful, it would have paid more than $5.1 million.
The post included the caption, “What’s that saying??? Better luck next time…say less.”
The wager immediately fueled renewed conversation surrounding the so-called “Drake curse.” The fan-created theory suggests teams and athletes publicly backed by the rapper often lose in high-profile competitions. While the superstition has no factual basis, it regularly resurfaces whenever one of Drake’s public bets falls short.
Spain Ends Argentina’s Repeat Title Bid
Argentina entered the championship match hoping to defend its 2022 World Cup crown behind captain Lionel Messi.
Spain, however, delivered a disciplined defensive performance throughout regulation. Neither side managed to score before the match moved into extra time.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 106th minute when Ferran Torres found the net. His goal proved to be the difference, giving Spain its first men’s World Cup championship since 2010.
Because Drake’s wager specifically required Argentina to win during regulation, the bet was already lost once the match remained tied after 90 minutes. Spain’s eventual victory only cemented the outcome.
The loss also echoed Drake’s experience during the 2022 World Cup final. That year, he also backed Argentina to win in regulation. Argentina ultimately lifted the trophy after defeating France in a penalty shootout, but the match’s extra-time finish meant his regulation wager still failed.
Another Expensive Week for Drake
The World Cup defeat marked another setback in a string of costly public wagers.
Only days earlier, Drake reportedly lost another $1 million after betting on Conor McGregor during the fighter’s UFC return. McGregor suffered an early injury before losing the bout, adding another seven-figure loss to Drake’s betting history.
Despite the repeated setbacks, Drake has continued sharing many of his largest bets online through his partnership with the cryptocurrency gambling platform Stake. Those posts routinely attract millions of views and spark widespread discussion among sports fans before major events.
Social media quickly erupted after Spain’s victory, with many joking that the “Drake curse” had struck again. Memes and reactions spread across X, Instagram, and Reddit within minutes of the final whistle. Others dismissed the superstition as coincidence, pointing to the unpredictable nature of sports betting.