Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger Perform FIFA's First-Ever Official Anthem at World Cup Closing Ceremony

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final was held on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 on a Ferran Torres goal in the 106th minute of extra time. At the closing ceremony, Robbie Williams, dressed in a royal blue sequined tracksuit, performed alongside Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger on "Desire" — FIFA's first-ever official anthem.

"Desire" and Williams' FIFA Ambassador Role

"Desire" was written by Williams himself. FIFA announced last summer that Williams had been named its official music ambassador, and the closing performance served as the public unveiling of that partnership. After the broadcast, social media reaction quickly zeroed in on Williams' outfit, with some comparing it to Paulie Walnuts from The Sopranos, while others joked he'd managed not to turn into a gorilla — a nod to a scene from his own biopic.

Also in attendance were Donald Trump, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Timothée Chalamet.

Coldplay Curates the World Cup's First Halftime Show

Another highlight of this year's tournament was the final's first-ever halftime show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Performers included Coldplay, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Burna Boy, with football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, plus the Muppets, making cameo appearances.

Former England international and pundit Wayne Rooney was unsparing in his review, saying, "I like a lot of these artists, but I thought it was crap," adding that he'd rather the match just get underway.