Robbie Williams brought his A-game to the stage at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last night, 19 July, alongside Italian songstress Laura Pausini and American powerhouse Nicole Scherzinger. The trio tore it up with a blistering performance of 'Desire', the first-ever official FIFA anthem – and what an anthem it is!
Spain's thrilling 1-0 win over Argentina in the final, secured by Ferran Torres' 106th-minute goal, was followed by a star-studded celebration that drew in A-listers like President Donald Trump, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Matt Damon. It's fair to say the MetLife Stadium was electric.
Williams, who donned a show-stopping royal blue bedazzled tracksuit for the performance – complete with a sparkly waistcoat that had social media users scratching their heads – co-wrote 'Desire' last summer when he was appointed FIFA's official Music Ambassador. The outfit, which earned him comparisons to Paulie Walnuts from The Sopranos, only added to the excitement of the evening.
The World Cup 2026 halftime show, curated by Chris Martin, featured a spectacular lineup including Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Burna Boy. Even football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho made guest appearances alongside The Muppets – but it seems not everyone was blown away. Former England star Wayne Rooney branded the performance "crap" during his commentary.
For Williams, this closing ceremony marked a highlight of an already action-packed summer, which included a rousing joint set with CMAT at Bilbao BBK Live 2026. His involvement in the World Cup only reinforces his status as a global music ambassador – and proves he's still one of the biggest stars on the planet.