Stake names Eden Hazard as World Cup ambassador
Table of contents
- Stake appoints former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger as global ambassador tied to its 2026 World Cup marketing activity.
- Hazard brings more than 58 million social media followers and 126 international caps for Belgium.
- The deal adds to a football roster that already includes Iker Casillas, Sergio Agüero and Patrice Evra.
Crypto betting operator Stake has appointed former Belgium international Eden Hazard as a global brand ambassador. The partnership is tied to the operator’s marketing build-up around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June to July.
Expanding ambassador roster
Hazard joins an expanding football roster at Stake. The operator appointed World Cup-winning goalkeeper Iker Casillas in December 2025 as part of its “Road to 2026” campaign. Former Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero and ex-Manchester United defender Patrice Evra also serve as ambassadors for the brand.
The Belgian retired from professional football in 2023 after spells at Lille, Chelsea and Real Madrid. His club honours include the Champions League, two Premier League titles, two La Liga titles and two Europa League trophies. He captained Belgium from 2015 to 2023, earning 126 caps and helping the team finish third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Stake Chief Marketing Officer, Akhil Sarin, commented:
“Eden Hazard is a player who embodies creativity, flair and big-stage performance – qualities that resonate strongly with our global community,“ Sarin said.
“His worldwide appeal and deep connection with fans across Europe, Asia and beyond make him the perfect addition to our ambassadorial roster as we continue to strengthen Stake’s position as the home of football entertainment.“
Social media reach
Stake said Hazard’s large social media following will play a central role in its digital campaigns during the tournament period. The operator noted his audience spans multiple regions, giving the brand broader reach for fan engagement content.
Eden Hazard said:
“I’m really excited to be joining Stake at such an important time in the football calendar. The World Cup remains the pinnacle of our sport – the dream every player chases – and I’ve been fortunate enough to experience it on some of the biggest stages.”
He added:
“Football has given me so many incredible memories, from lifting domestic and European trophies, to representing my country as captain, and making many friends along the way. Now, in this next chapter, I can’t wait to engage with fans in new and meaningful ways, sharing insights, excitement, and the pure joy of football together with Stake.”
The signing follows a well-established pattern for the operator.
Stake holds partnerships with Premier League side Everton, the UFC and the X Games. Its highest-profile relationship remains the deal with Canadian rapper Drake, though that arrangement has faced legal scrutiny in multiple US jurisdictions.
Operators target World Cup visibility
The appointment shows the significance of the World Cup for the betting industry. Operators are competing for brand visibility around the expanded 48-team tournament and its North American host market, investing in ambassador-led campaigns to reach global audiences.
Stake has entered several regulated markets in recent years, including Italy, Denmark, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. The operator has also faced a trademark dispute in Australia over its brand identity and recently launched passkey authentication to strengthen platform security.
With Casillas, Agüero, Evra and now Hazard on its books, Stake enters the World Cup cycle with one of the more prominent football ambassador programmes among betting operators.
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About the author
Bianca Máthe
Bianca Mathe joined the iGaming industry in 2018 and has since built extensive experience across multiple verticals, working with international gaming organizations on editorial, marketing, and media strategy. She brings a strong understanding of the regulatory, commercial, and technological forces shaping the global iGaming sector.
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