"THREE VOICES. ONE ANTHEM. ONE HISTORIC WORLD CUP MOMENT." 🌍🎤⚽ — ROBBIE WILLIAMS, LAURA PAUSINI & NICOLE SCHERZINGER BROUGHT DESIRE TO LIFE Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger delivered the first-ever live performance of FIFA's official anthem Desire with all three artists sharing the stage at the 2026 World Cup Final closing ceremony. Dressed in matching blue outfits, the trio blended powerful vocals in English and Spanish to create a stirring celebration of football's biggest night, earning thunderous applause from the crowd. Their breathtaking harmony, emotional delivery, and undeniable chemistry transformed Desire into one of the ceremony's standout performances, perfectly capturing the unity and passion of the world's most beloved sport.

US singer Nicole Scherzinger, British singer-Songwriter Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini perform the FIFA anthem ‘Desire’ during the closing ceremony of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. Paul ELLIS/Getty Images

Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger brought FIFA’s official anthem “Desire” to the World Cup’s biggest stage Sunday.

The three singers performed together during the FIFA World Cup 2026 closing ceremony at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, shortly before Spain and Argentina met in the tournament final on July 19. Dressed in all-blue outfits, Williams and Scherzinger sang in English while Pausini delivered a verse in Spanish.

Their appearance marked the first live performance of “Desire” featuring all three artists. Williams and Pausini had previously performed the song together at the FIFA Club World Cup Final in 2025, while Williams and Scherzinger presented another version during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw in December.

The World Cup closing ceremony united the three voices for an expanded performance, with Williams, Pausini and Scherzinger sharing vocal duties before coming together on the song’s chorus.

Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini perform the FIFA anthem ‘Desire’ during the closing ceremony of the 2026 World Cup at New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026. ANGELA WEISS/Getty Images

“Desire” was introduced in 2025 following Williams’ appointment as FIFA’s first Music Ambassador. The original recording paired the British singer with Pausini, who also helped adapt the song into Spanish. Scherzinger later joined the project as FIFA continued using the anthem during events leading up to the 2026 tournament.

The collaboration brought together artists from three different areas of international pop. Williams supplied the arena-pop showmanship that has defined his solo career, Pausini brought her European pop background and the song’s Spanish-language element, and Scherzinger contributed the vocal style she has carried from the Pussycat Dolls to Broadway and television.

Their closing-ceremony performance was part of a larger pre-match production that also included IShowSpeed and Post Malone, who brought out Swae Lee for a performance of their hit “Sunflower.” Tom Cruise made a special appearance. Jennifer Hudson performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the final.

The closing ceremony was separate from the World Cup’s first official final halftime show. That 11-minute production featured Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Gustavo Dudamel.

Spain went on to defeat Argentina 1-0 after extra time, claiming its second men’s World Cup title.

FIFA has released the complete Williams, Pausini and Scherzinger performance on its official YouTube channel.

Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger Perform ‘Desire’ at World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony