The 2026 FIFA World Cup final proved costly for both Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko and Canadian rapper Drake, who lost huge betting stakes after Argentina fell to Spain.
Etiko disclosed on Instagram that she lost ₦5 million after placing what she described as her first football bet on the World Cup final.
Expressing her disappointment, the actress admitted the experience left her emotionally drained and vowed never to gamble on football again.
“My first time betting and I lost. I will never try it again. My ₦5 million is gone. I’m even done watching football. Anxiety almost finished me,” she wrote alongside crying and heartbreak emojis.
Her post generated mixed reactions online, with some fans sympathising with her loss while others teased her for backing the losing side.
Meanwhile, Drake also suffered a major setback after losing a $1.5 million wager, estimated at over ₦2 billion, on Argentina to defeat Spain.
The Grammy-winning rapper had placed the high-profile bet through the Stake betting platform and stood to win more than $5.1 million if Argentina had lifted the trophy.
Instead, Spain secured a 1-0 extra-time victory to claim the World Cup title, leaving Drake’s prediction unsuccessful.
The latest loss has once again reignited discussions about the so-called “Drake curse,” an internet theory suggesting that teams or athletes backed publicly by the rapper often fail to win.
Earlier in the year, Drake also lost money after betting on former UFC champion Conor McGregor, who was defeated by Max Holloway.
The trend has become so popular among sports fans that a website, TheDrakeCurse.com, now tracks the rapper’s betting history and sporting predictions.
Known for making multimillion-dollar wagers on major sporting events, Drake continues to attract attention whenever he places a bet, with many of his selections ending in defeat.
