It is the biggest night in football. Argentina faces Spain at MetLife Stadium for the 2026 World Cup final tonight, Sunday, July 19. But fans of Lionel Messi are worried about an off-pitch factor.
Canadian rapper Drake has placed a massive bet on the defending champions.
The superstar revealed his wager on Friday night. He shared a betting slip on Instagram showing a $1.5 million (Ksh 193.5 million) stake on Argentina to win. If the bet is successful, Drake stands to collect more than $5 million.
A Costly Reputation
The move has sparked panic among supporters. Fans believe in the "Drake curse," a superstition that his public support causes athletes to lose. Drake even joked about the reputation in his caption. He wrote: "What's that saying??? Better luck…"
Followers quickly took to social media to express their concern. One fan wrote on X: "Argentina's toughest opponent isn't Spain — it's Drake's $1.5 million Stake bet.". Another supporter admitted they might need to "cash out" their own bets now.
The History of the Jinx
The rapper's betting history gives fans a reason to be nervous. In 2022, Drake bet $1 million on Argentina to beat France in the World Cup final. While Argentina eventually won the trophy, Drake still lost his money.
The match went to penalties, meaning he lost the wager because it was not settled in regulation time.
Other sports stars have suffered similar fates. Earlier this month, he put $1 million on Conor McGregor to win his UFC return match. The fight lasted just over a minute before McGregor suffered a leg injury. McGregor later said: "My head gasket is gone. Destroyed."
Promotional Stunt or Real Risk?
Despite the high stakes, some people question if the money is real. Drake has a lucrative partnership with the betting platform, Stake. He recently appeared in a commercial celebrating a $30 million win on the site.
One social media user commented: "I don't think he uses real money — he's a Stake ambassador."
For now, the world is waiting to see if Argentina can overcome both Spain and the internet's favourite superstition.
