Robbie Williams has unveiled a new rendition of the official FIFA anthem ‘Desire’ ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, collaborating once more with Laura Pausini and introducing Nicole Scherzinger for a fresh vocal harmony.
In summer 2025, Williams was named FIFA’s Music Ambassador and released a single with Pausini that became the tournament’s inaugural official anthem. The duo first performed the track live together in July 2025 at a match between Chelsea and Paris Saint‑Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Later that year, Williams delivered a duet with Scherzinger during the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw.
Now, ahead of the closing ceremony for the 2026 World Cup, Williams has released an updated version of the song. While the original featured only Williams and Pausini, the new version brings Scherzinger into the mix, with all three artists sharing vocals and harmonising on the chorus.
The trio will perform the track together live for the first time at the closing ceremony on Sunday, July 19, which will be broadcast in the UK on BBC One from the New York New Jersey Stadium, just before Spain faces Argentina in the final match. The ceremony will also showcase performances by Post Malone, Tom Cruise and Jennifer Hudson, with an anticipated global television audience of around two billion viewers.
Additional content includes a secondary halftime show organized by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, mirroring the Super Bowl format, featuring appearances by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS. This segment is captured in the following video:
The event supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million (£74.5 million) to improve children’s access to education and football worldwide. While the halftime show has sparked debate among fans, including criticism from The Cure’s Robert Smith, the tournament also features a third‑place playoff between England and France on Saturday, July 18.
Beyond the anthem, Williams has extended his involvement with football by becoming the Foundation Ambassador and official front‑of‑shirt partner for Port Vale FC. The partnership, spanning the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons, will see his “RW” branding displayed on the club’s home and away jerseys.
