Rapper Drake Bets $770,000 on Canada to Defeat South Africa at World Cup

Canadian music superstar Drake has placed a high-profile wager of approximately $770,000 (about ₦1.07 billion) on Canada to defeat South Africa in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash, adding celebrity excitement to the knockout fixture.

The bet was revealed on Sunday by Stake, the online betting platform with which the Grammy-winning rapper has a long-standing partnership.

According to the platform, Drake stands to receive a payout of $1 million if Canada overcomes South Africa and progresses to the next stage of the tournament.

Accompanying the announcement, Drake referenced South African DJ Black Coffee in a playful caption.

“#realblackcoffee was chirping in the DM. I had to raise my stakes,” the rapper wrote, suggesting the wager was partly inspired by friendly banter between the two entertainers.

The massive bet quickly generated widespread reactions across social media, particularly among football fans in Africa, Canada and Nigeria, many of whom linked it to the widely discussed “Drake curse” — a popular belief that teams and athletes publicly backed by the rapper often suffer unexpected defeats.

Several users expressed concern that Canada could become the latest victim of the supposed jinx.

One user, identified as #Tunnykvng, posted, “Hope Drake don’t jinx them,” while another, #toddradd1, predicted that South Africa would advance, writing, “Drake curse is real, all in South Africa to qualify.”

Others viewed the wager as a show of confidence rather than a curse. User #NoodleHairCR7 wrote, “Drake is cooking man,” while #KickClipper joked that the rapper had “put the curse on Canada just to win $1,000,000 on Stake.”

The bet comes as Canada and South Africa prepare for one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Round of 32.

Canada is aiming to continue its impressive World Cup campaign on home soil, while South Africa is seeking another historic result after reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

Drake has become well known for placing multimillion-dollar wagers on major sporting events, including NBA, NFL, UFC and international football matches. Some of his predictions have resulted in significant winnings, while others have ended in costly defeats, further fuelling discussion around the so-called “Drake curse.”

With kickoff approaching, attention has shifted beyond the football itself, as fans eagerly await whether Canada can justify Drake’s confidence or whether South Africa will upset the odds and add another chapter to the rapper’s infamous betting history.