Stake.com, the global online sportsbook and casino platform, has announced the signing of former Belgian international Eden Hazard as a global brand ambassador. This strategic move is part of Stake’s push into the 2026 football season and the expanded FIFA World Cup.
The partnership places Hazard, one of the most recognizable figures in world football at the center of Stake’s marketing and fan engagement initiatives across digital and social platforms leading up to this summer’s marquee tournament. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest in history, featuring 48 national teams and attracting unprecedented global audiences and commercial activity.
Hazard, 35, retired from professional football in 2023 after a distinguished career at Chelsea and Real Madrid. He won several major honors, including the UEFA Champions League, two Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, and two UEFA Europa League trophies. He also earned 126 caps for Belgium, captaining the team from 2015 to 2023 and helping them achieve third place in the 2018 World Cup.
With a massive global following of over 58 million fans on social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and Weibo, Hazard’s reach and influence make him a key ambassador for Stake’s digital campaigns and broader brand initiatives during the tournament season.
Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake, emphasized the strategic timing of the partnership, noting that Hazard’s creativity, flair, and “big-stage performance” align with the brand’s vision as football’s global spotlight shifts to the 2026 World Cup. Sarin highlighted Hazard’s broad international appeal and his ability to connect with fans across multiple regions, reinforcing Stake’s ambition to establish itself as a leading destination for football entertainment.
Hazard shared his enthusiasm for the new role, expressing his passion for the sport and eagerness to engage with fans in innovative ways as part of Stake’s campaign. This appointment continues a broader trend of major betting and gaming operators partnering with high-profile sports icons and organizations to drive visibility and engagement around major global sporting events.
