The FIFA World Cup remains arguably the most-watched sporting event globally, with its high-stakes matches consistently drawing significant interest from those willing to place substantial wagers. The recent semi-finals—Argentina versus England and Spain versus France—were no exception, resulting in massive windfalls for some and devastating losses for others.
High-Stakes Drama in the Semi-Finals
On July 15, football powerhouses Argentina and England faced off to determine who would advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain. The match, fueled by a historic rivalry, lived up to its billing as a heated derby. The first half was defined more by physical clashes and tension than by fluid play.
England broke the deadlock early in the second half, but the momentum shifted in the final minutes as they conceded two goals, effectively ending their hopes of bringing the title “home.”
Argentina’s late comeback sent shockwaves through the stadium and the betting markets alike. One trader on Polymarket—a platform operating on the Polygon blockchain where wagers are settled via cryptocurrency—lost $1.5 million after betting on England to eliminate Argentina. Conversely, another trader saw their fortunes rise, turning a $770,000 wager on Argentina to advance into a payout of more than $1.6 million.
A Multi-Million Dollar Turnaround
The most dramatic narrative of the semi-finals involved a gambler who placed a staggering $11.3 million on the Spain versus France match, betting that Spain would secure a spot in the final. Prior to this massive wager, the trader had been facing a brutal loss of nearly $11 million. The bet proved to be a turning point, flipping their fortunes and leaving them with a profit of roughly $8 million following Spain’s decisive 2-0 victory.
The “Drake Curse” Strikes Again
Speculation circulated on X regarding Canadian musician Drake, with users claiming he placed a $450,000 bet on England to defeat Argentina, alongside a $150,000 wager on Harry Kane to score. Rumors also suggested he placed similar sums on France to eliminate Spain.
If these wagers occurred, they were unsuccessful—a familiar outcome for the rapper, who has gained notoriety for his gambling misfortune. His string of incorrect predictions has become so consistent that it inspired the “Drake Curse,” a popular meme suggesting that any athlete or team he supports is destined to lose.
Earlier this month, the rapper reportedly wagered $1 million in Bitcoin on Conor McGregor for his return to the octagon against Max Holloway at UFC 329. McGregor lost the fight in the first round, further cementing the reputation of the so-called curse.
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