Drake Bets Big on Lionel Messi’s Argentina Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 Final; Will The ‘Drake Curse’ Strike Again?

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With the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final just around the corner, anticipation is building as Spain and Argentina prepare to battle for football’s biggest prize at MetLife Stadium. While the spotlight remains firmly on the players, the blockbuster showdown has also attracted attention away from the pitch. Canadian rapper Drake has once again made headlines after placing a high-profile wager through his partnership with Stake, adding another talking point ahead of the title decider.

Drake has backed Argentina to beat Spain outright within the regulation 90 minutes, opting against the safer “to lift the trophy” market that also includes extra time and penalties. By doing so, he is banking on Lionel Messi and Argentina finishing the job before the match reaches overtime. The bold prediction has quickly gone viral, reigniting discussions around the infamous “Drake Curse” as fans debate whether his latest bet is a confident call or another superstition that could haunt the team he supports.

Drake Places Massive Seven-Figure Bet on Argentina Ahead of FIFA World Cup Final

Drake has once again grabbed headlines ahead of a major sporting event after placing a $1.5 million wager on Argentina to beat Spain in regulation time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The Canadian rapper shared his betting slip on social media through his partnership with Stake, joking about his infamous betting record by captioning it, “What’s that saying??? Better luck…”. His latest prediction has quickly reignited discussion around the so-called “Drake curse,” a belief among sports fans that teams or athletes he publicly backs often fail to deliver when it matters most.

The bet also carries an interesting twist from the previous World Cup final. Drake backed Argentina in the same 90-minute 1×2 market during the 2022 final against France but still lost despite Lionel Messi’s side eventually lifting the trophy because the match ended level after regulation and was decided on penalties. He has taken the identical betting route again for Sunday’s showdown against Spain, even though Argentina booked their place in the final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England, while Spain secured their spot after defeating France 2-0. According to the betting slip, the rapper stands to collect $5.175 million if Argentina beat Spain within 90 minutes in Sunday’s World Cup final.

Drake’s Infamous Betting Record Back in the Spotlight

Drake’s reputation in the world of sports betting is built on huge wagers, dramatic wins, and plenty of painful losses. The rapper has become one of the most recognizable celebrity bettors, regularly placing seven-figure bets across major sporting events. However, his betting history has also fueled the famous “Drake Curse” narrative, with fans often pointing to teams and athletes struggling after receiving his public backing. Reports tracking his major bets suggest he has lost around 50 of 80 widely shared wagers.

One of Drake’s biggest betting stretches came when he reportedly placed nearly $125 million worth of bets in a single month, only to finish with an $8.2 million loss. The slump included a failed $800,000 wager on the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the NBA Finals, adding another high-profile setback to his growing list of betting misses.

Despite the losses, Drake has also enjoyed some major wins. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he reportedly earned more than $1 million after a successful $770,000 bet on Canada to beat South Africa. He also made headlines in cricket after placing a $250,000 wager on Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2024 IPL final, further adding to his long list of memorable sports betting moments.

How Much Money Has Drake Lost Through Sports Betting? A Look at His Reported Betting Losses

Drake’s sports betting history has become one of the most closely followed in celebrity gambling circles, with his massive public wagers often making headlines. While his verified net losses are estimated at around $786,000 from nearly $37 million in tracked bets, the rapper has still suffered several huge individual setbacks worth millions. His occasional big payouts on platforms like Stake have helped offset some of those losses, but his high-risk betting style continues to attract attention.

Through his partnership with Stake, some observers have speculated that many of his wagers may involve promotional funds rather than purely personal money. Among his most notable losses are the $1 million bet on Conor McGregor against Max Holloway at UFC 329, the reported $8.2 million loss during a single month after more than $124 million in wagers, and his $1 million loss on Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final after backing them to win in regulation time.

Other major misses include a $1.15 million Super Bowl LVIII bet on the San Francisco 49ers, a $300,000 wager on Canada to beat Argentina in the 2024 Copa América semifinal, and combined $1 million losses on the NBA and NHL Finals in 2024. However, Drake’s betting record varies by sport, with soccer proving to be his biggest struggle, reportedly leaving him with more than $1.9 million in net losses, while his UFC bets remain his strongest category with an overall positive return despite some high-profile defeats.

What Is the ‘Drake Curse’? The Story Behind the Rapper’s Infamous Sports Betting Jinx

The “Drake Curse” is a viral sports superstition claiming that teams or athletes backed by Drake often end up losing or suffering disappointing results. The joke gained major popularity around 2014 and 2015 after a series of high-profile coincidences, with fans linking the rapper’s public support, appearances, or bets to unexpected defeats. Some of the names often associated with the so-called curse include Serena Williams, who suffered a shock loss at the 2015 US Open while Drake was watching from the stands, Conor McGregor after his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, and the Toronto Maple Leafs following Drake’s large wager on the team.

Despite the growing legend, the “Drake Curse” is simply an internet phenomenon rather than anything backed by evidence. Since Drake regularly places huge bets on major sporting events, his losing picks naturally attract more attention and become viral moments. The superstition continues to thrive because fans enjoy turning his high-profile betting misses into one of sports culture’s most famous running jokes.