Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger have performed ‘Desire’ at World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony – watch the moment down below.
The World Cup final was staged at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last night (19 July), with President Donald Trump, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and Matt Damon just some of the famous faces spotted in attendance.
Spain triumphed against Argentina, Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal 106 minutes into the game to beat them 1-0.
Now, during the closing ceremony, Williams, Pausini and Scherzinger have performed their version of ‘Desire’. Williams emerged in a bedazzled tracksuit alongside Scherzinger and Pausini to sing the first ever official FIFA anthem. The track was written by Williams, who last summer was announced as the official Music Ambassador for the global football governing body.
Watch the performance below:
Now, fans have reacted to Williams’ performance – and his unusual outfit for the occasion. Some compared his look to Paulie Walnuts of The Sopranos, while others were simply surprised he didn’t look like an ape – a reference to his monkey-starring biopic.
However, some appreciated Williams’ look. “Robbie Williams singing at the wc final in a royal blue bedazzled glittery tracksuit in all seriousness is killing me”, one person wrote.
Robbie Williams homage to Paulie Walnuts at the World Cup Final in New Jersey pic.twitter.com/B5gYqwrrY3
— Sopranos World (@SopranosWorld) July 19, 2026
¿Cómo puede ser este Robbie Williams?
¡Ni siquiera es un simio! pic.twitter.com/rBNkxT6lJk
— COTM (@COTM_2) July 19, 2026
Robbie Williams singing at the wc final in a royal blue bedazzled glittery tracksuit in all seriousness is killing me
— lea (@leaalottie) July 19, 2026
This year’s World Cup also featured the first ever halftime show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Alongside Coldplay, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira and Burna Boy performed at the show, with football legends Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and The Muppets making cameos on the night.
The show also featured some memorable opinions from pundit and former England footballer Wayne Rooney, who slammed the show as “crap”.
“I like a lot of them artists but I thought it was crap,” he said on the night. “It just didn’t get me going and I wanted the football to come back on. I like Burna Boy, I like Bieber, I like Shakira, but that was too flat.”
Elsewhere, Robbie Williams has joined CMAT on stage during day two of Bilbao BBK Live 2026.
The post Watch Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger perform ‘Desire’ at World Cup 2026™ Closing Ceremony appeared first on NME.
