Robbie Williams has shared a new version of the Official Fifa Anthem ‘Desire’ ahead of the World Cup Final, and it sees him join forces with Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini.
Last summer, the singer was confirmed as the official Music Ambassador for the global football governing body, and he went on to drop the single with Laura Pausini shortly afterwards as the first ever official FIFA anthem.
The two of them first played the song live together last July, breaking it out before a match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Later that year, Williams performed it again at the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026, performing it as a duet with Scherzinger.
Now, ahead of his performance at the closing ceremony for the 2026 World Cup, Williams has released an all-new version of the track. While the original version just featured Williams and Pausini, the new version sees the two of them come together with the Pussycat Dolls singer, each sharing vocal duties and harmonising on the heartfelt chorus.
The three of them are set to perform the song live together for the first time at the closing ceremony on Sunday (July 19).
Available to watch in the UK on BBC One, the ceremony will be held at the New York New Jersey Stadium, shortly before Spain kick off against Argentina. Other performers lined-up for the ceremony include Post Malone, Tom Cruise and Jennifer Hudson, and there is an expected TV audience of around two billion people worldwide.
It was Shakira and Burna Boy who helped kick off the opening ceremony last month, breaking out a rendition of ‘Dai Dai’. Other performers have included Future, Katy Perry, Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette and Ellie Goulding. The latter performed as England took on Norway at the quarter finals, and ultimately secured a 2-1 win.
As well as the closing ceremony on Sunday, the World Cup final will also feature its first ever Halftime Show. Organised by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the set will follow the same structure as at the Super Bowl, and feature performances from Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
The event supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is trying to raise $100million (£74.5million) to enhance children’s access to education and football worldwide.
The inclusion of a Halftime Show has proved divisive with fans, however, and The Cure’s Robert Smith is among those who have criticised it – sharing a post on Instagram with the hashtag “#pleasejustfuckoff”, and later sharing his views on the idea of Donald Trump handing over the trophy to the winning team.
Ahead of the final against Spain and Argentina on Sunday, tomorrow (Saturday July 18) will see England go head to head with France to compete for third place.
As for Williams, his football collaborations go beyond the FIFA anthem too, and last month it was confirmed that he had become the Foundation Ambassador and official front-of-shirt partner for Port Vale FC.
The pop icon is a life-long supporter of the football team, has signed a two-year partnership with them, and will have his his ‘RW’ mark feature on the front of their home and away shirts in both 2026/27 and 2027/28.
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