Drake Stakes Over ₦1 Billion on Canada to Beat South Africa at FIFA World Cup

Drake Stakes Over ₦1 Billion on Canada to Beat South Africa at FIFA World Cup

Canadian rap superstar Drake has placed a high-profile wager on his country’s national team, betting approximately $770,000—equivalent to about ₦1.07 billion at current exchange rates—that Canada will defeat South Africa in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash.

The wager was revealed on Sunday by Stake, the betting platform with which Drake has a long-standing commercial partnership.

According to the platform, the bet carries a potential payout of $1 million if Canada advances to the next stage of the tournament by eliminating South Africa.

Sharing the bet on social media, Drake referenced a light-hearted exchange with renowned South African DJ Black Coffee, writing: “#realblackcoffee was chirping in the DM. I had to raise my stakes.”

The post quickly generated widespread reactions online, particularly among football fans in Africa and Canada, with many debating whether the rapper’s public support would inspire or hinder the Canadian side.

Drake’s latest wager has also revived discussion about the so-called “Drake curse,” a popular internet superstition suggesting that teams or athletes publicly backed by the Grammy-winning artist often go on to suffer unexpected defeats.

Despite the folklore surrounding the “curse,” Drake has remained known for placing large wagers on major sporting events, regularly sharing his bets with millions of followers on social media.

Canada and South Africa are set to meet in one of the knockout fixtures of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a place in the Round of 16 at stake.

Drake Stakes Over ₦1 Billion on Canada to Beat South Africa at FIFA World Cup