Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has revealed that she lost ₦5 million after placing what she described as her first-ever football bet during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
The actress shared the experience on her Instagram page shortly after the final, saying the loss left her emotionally drained and determined never to gamble on football again.
Etiko admitted that the pressure of watching the match while so much money was at stake made the experience overwhelming.
“First time betting and I lost. Will never try it again. My N5 million is gone. In fact, I’m done watching football. Anxiety almost killed me,” she wrote, adding crying and heartbreak emojis to her post.
Her comments quickly sparked reactions across social media, with many followers expressing sympathy over the financial loss, while others playfully reacted to her unsuccessful prediction.
Some fans advised the actress to avoid betting in the future, while others focused on Spain’s victory, which saw the European side defeat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy.
The World Cup final attracted millions of viewers worldwide and generated significant betting interest, with many football fans staking money on the outcome of the closely contested showdown.
Etiko’s experience has also reignited conversations online about the financial and emotional risks associated with sports betting, particularly for first-time participants.