Robbie Williams shared a new version of the official FIFA anthem Wish will be performed in Sunday’s World Cup final. In the new version, he will join forces with Pussycat Dolls vocalist Nicole Scherzinger and Italian singer Laura Pausini.
Last year Williams was confirmed as the official music ambassador for football’s world governing body, and soon after he released a single with Pausini as FIFA’s first-ever official anthem. They first performed the song live together last July before a match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Later that year, Williams performed it again at the final draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, performing it as a duet with Scherzinger.
Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini perform before the Chelsea-Paris Saint-Germain match.
Now, ahead of his performance at the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony, Williams has released a brand new version of the track. While the original version featured just Williams and Pausini, the new version brings them both together with the Pussycat Dolls singer, each sharing vocal duties and harmonizing on the heartfelt chorus.
All three are going to present a new live version Wish together at Sunday’s closing ceremony at New York-New Jersey Stadium, shortly before Spain’s match against Argentina kicks off. Other performers invited to the ceremony include Post Malone, Tom Cruise and Jennifer Hudson, who are expected to be seen by a television audience of about two billion people worldwide.
Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger perform on stage during the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.
In addition to the closing ceremony, the World Cup final will also feature the first ever half-time show. Hosted by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the set will follow the same structure as the Super Bowl and include performances from Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS. The event supports FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which is trying to raise $100 million to increase children’s access to education and football around the world.
As for Williams, his football collaborations go beyond the FIFA anthem. Last month it was confirmed that he had become an ambassador for the foundation and an official partner of Port Vale Football Club, a professional football club in England. Having already been a lifelong supporter of the football team, the pop icon has signed a two-year partnership with them and will feature the ‘RW’ badge on the front of their home and away shirts for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons.
Photos courtesy: Getty Images
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