LONDON: French footballer Paul Pogba has joined Wahed Inc., a global Islamic Fintech company, as an investor and brand ambassador.
The 2018 World Cup champ joins current brand ambassadors UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and his team of mixed martial arts fighters.
Starting his football career at the age of six, Pogba, who until recently was famous for being part of the Premier League club Manchester United and the French national team, plays as a central midfielder.
Pogba and Wahed’s Chief Executive Officer, Junaid Wahedna, met in September 2021 and found common ground in Wahed’s mission to make ethical investing as accessible and affordable as possible, cementing Pogba’s partnership with the global Islamic Fintech, the company said.
Pogba said: “I knew I wanted to be part of it, because growing up, we didn’t have access to a safe way to manage and grow our money.”
The Frenchman hopes that his partnership with Wahed will help show young people that there are ways to start investing the right way and “it’s smart to start thinking about long-term financial goals early in life.”
Wahedna said “Pogba is a high-performing leader in his industry, which fits with the vision and mission of what we’re trying to achieve,” adding: “We are very excited to welcome him as our new brand ambassador as we continue to reimagine a fairer financial ecosystem.”
Wahed has gained support steadily since its inception with over 300,000 clients globally across all the its entities.
International football icon Paul Pogba becomes brand ambassador for Islamic Fintech company
https://arab.news/ryvxa
International football icon Paul Pogba becomes brand ambassador for Islamic Fintech company
- Pogba and Wahed’s CEO met in September 2021 and found common ground in Wahed’s mission
- The Frenchman said ‘growing up, we didn’t have access to a safe way to manage and grow our money’
Top Saudi teams set for ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals
- Leading esports teams feature in competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leading esports teams will go head-to-head later this week as the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 reaches its decisive stages, underlining the Kingdom’s growing ambition to develop local talent and strengthen its professional gaming ecosystem.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the tournament is designed to provide Saudi players with a clear pathway into elite-level competition while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for gaming and esports.
The online phase of the Overwatch 2 competition took place on Jan. 23-24, with the action set to culminate in a live LAN final on Jan. 30 at EFG Studios in Riyadh.
The competition features a total prize pool of $20,000, offering a significant incentive for emerging Saudi esports talent and reflecting the rising professionalism of the Kingdom’s national scene.
The lineup for the second stage has now been confirmed, blending established names with ambitious newcomers. Defending champions Twisted Minds return to defend their title against Kurohana, Newgens, and Lunar Crew, who secured their places through the qualification rounds. With only three teams progressing to the finals, the stakes remain high on the national stage.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa at EFG, said: “The ESL Saudi Challenge represents an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to the Saudi esports community.
“Through this competition we aim to empower Saudi players to refine their skills and demonstrate their potential within a high-stakes, professional environment, while contributing meaningfully to the development of a sustainable ecosystem that enables local talent to progress from national competition to global stages.”
The ESL Saudi Challenge aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, supporting talent development and the long-term growth of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector.
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the tournament forms part of EFG’s long-term approach to reinforcing professional standards, enabling talent progression, and fostering community-driven competition.
Through initiatives such as the ESL Saudi Challenge, EFG aims to ensure that Saudi esports talent is equipped to compete successfully not only at home, but also on regional and international stages.
