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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Lauren Del Fabbro

Drake ‘curse’ continues as rapper loses £1.1m on World Cup final bet

Drake lost a $1.5 million (£1.1 million) bet after Spain beat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, continuing the “Drake curse”.

The Canadian rapper backed the South American team, who lost to Spain 1-0 in extra time in the final of the international football tournament on Sunday.

The bet, made on Saturday through the betting site Stake, could have had a payout of more than $5.1 million (£3.8 million).

Over the years, the so-called Drake curse has seen a series of defeats for sports teams and athletes photographed with or bet on by the artist.

The 39-year-old’s loss comes days after he lost a million-dollar wager on Irish fighter Conor McGregor winning his UFC bout against Max Holloway.

Spain’s Rodri lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy (PA)
Spain’s Rodri lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy (PA)

A website named TheDrakeCurse.com has even been created to log his full sports betting history.

Born Aubrey Drake Graham, the 39-year-old Canadian rapper is known for songs including One Dance, Passionfruit and Hold On, We’re Going Home.

The five-time Grammy winner released three new albums – Iceman, Maid Of Honour and Habibti – all at once in May.

They were his first releases since 2023 and secured Drake his seventh number one album on the UK album chart with Iceman.

He was previously at the centre of a headline-making feud with US rapper Kendrick Lamar, as the American musician insulted Drake in the diss track Not Like Us.

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