Robbie Williams has been confirmed as the official FIFA Music Ambassador.
To mark his new role, the singer has written and recorded the first-ever Official FIFA anthem, ‘Desire’, which will be played as players walk onto the pitch during all FIFA tournaments and matches worldwide.
Discussing his new role, Williams said: “Music and football bring people together like nothing else — each with their own universal language of connection, emotion, spirit and community. When those worlds come together, there’s nothing like it — and I’m beyond honoured to be the FIFA Music Ambassador. Football and music have both been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so this means a lot to me on a personal level.”
Speaking on ‘Desire’, he added: “I’ve grown up watching the walk-outs, the anthems, the drama – so writing and recording the official FIFA anthem is a real privilege. I wanted to create something that captures all of it — the passion, the nerves, the pride and the majesty of that feeling just before kick-off.
“Football and music have always meant the world to me, and bringing them together on this kind of stage gives me goosebumps. I know I’ll get to perform this song at some of my favourite tournaments in the coming years, which fills me with excitement. It’s a real honour that Laura Pausini accepted my invitation to feature on the song – she’s an incredible artist with the perfect voice”.
Laura Pausini said: “It’s an honour for me to be invited to join Robbie Williams and be featured on the song DESIRE, written by Robbie. The song is amazing, really touching. It’s a dream to be with him for The FIFA Club World Cup. Since I was a little girl growing up in Italy I remember the thrill and passion for football in my home country. To be able to perform live with Robbie Williams in front of passionate football fans and to be heard by music fans around the world will be truly amazing.”
In other Robbie Williams news, he just wrapped up his ‘Britpop’ UK tour, which has seen him joined onstage by a slew of surprise guests, including all original members of the ‘90s boyband Five, Wiley and Lethal Bizzle, and Self Esteem.
Other surprise guests on the tour have come from former X Factor star Lucy Spraggan, Lulu, and Scottish singer and former Pop Idol finalist Michelle McManus.
The tour comes as Williams is preparing to release his first studio album in almost a decade, also titled ‘BRITPOP’. Visit here to pre-order. He has already previewed it with the single ‘Rocket’, which was released last month and features guitars from Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi.
Recently, the ‘Millenium’ singer spoke to NME at the Ivor Novello Awards, where he picked up the Icon Award for 2025. Reflecting on whether ‘BRITPOP’ will recapture the hedonism of the ‘90s, he said: “If hedonism is Jaffa Cake-based or Cadbury’s Fruit And Nut, then I’m in. Everything else I’ve got to park until I die. If I don’t park it, it’ll kill me.”
Discussing his guitar-dominated new approach, he added: “I was playing it safe and I’ve not been driving my own car. I’ve not had my hands on the wheel through second-thinking myself and guessing what people like. I just wanted to do something that I like.”
NEWS
Seven time Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette has officially revealed plans for a new limited engagement titled Butterfly with a Machete. The residency will take place this November at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles and picks up where her hugely successful sold out Las Vegas residency left off in late 2025. Fans will be able to access pre sale tickets beginning June 15, while tickets for the general public will become available on June 17, 2026.
Created, performed, and written in collaboration with Morissette, the production offers something far beyond a standard live concert. Conceived as an intimate and immersive musical stage experience, the show draws entirely from her celebrated body of work. Throughout the performance, songs are interwoven with personal reflections, psychological themes, and candid storytelling as she revisits her path from Ottawa to international stardom across three decades. The piece also takes an unfiltered look at the realities of fame and the lasting effects of personal hardship.
The announcement arrives during what has already been a landmark period for the influential artist, who was recently recognized by the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside Taylor Swift. The original version of the residency in Las Vegas earned widespread praise from critics, who highlighted Morissette's emotional honesty, sharp sense of humor, and captivating theatrical presentation. The upcoming run, scheduled for November 5, 6, 10, and 11, will also make history as the first official residency staged at the YouTube Theater since the 6,000 seat venue in Inglewood opened in 2021.
Presented by Live Nation, the production will examine themes that resonate with audiences on a deeply personal level, including recovery, growth, and self discovery. Morissette plans to tackle difficult subjects while also embracing moments of joy and triumph. Those interested in attending can find full ticketing details and information regarding the various pre sale opportunities, including early corporate and artist related access options, through the singer's official events directory.
