The pop superstar has been appointed as the official FIFA Music Ambassador ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup, with him creating a new official anthem
Williams collaborated with longtime musical partners on the FIFA anthem"Desire" will debut at Club World Cup opening match on June 14New anthem represents first major appointment in Williams' FIFA ambassadorial roleWatch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowGetty Images EntertainmentWHAT HAPPENED?
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced Robbie Williams as the organization's Music Ambassador during a video call with the British singer-songwriter. During this first official engagement in his new role, Williams revealed he has written and recorded "Desire," a new track created specifically to serve as the official FIFA anthem for all future tournaments. The song was created alongside his frequent collaborators Karl Brazil and Owen Parker, with additional input from Erik Jan Grob.
“Music and football bring people together like nothing else – each with their own universal language of connection, spirit and community,” Robbie Williams told FIFA. “When those worlds come together, there’s nothing like it – and I’m beyond honoured to be FIFA’s 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.
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."
Williams also revealed Laura Pausini is a collaborator on the song.
“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.”
AdvertisementWHAT GIANNI INFATINO SAID
"Our FIFA Music Ambassador, Robbie Williams, has created what is a fantastic, incredible, emotional and brilliant Official FIFA anthem, and to feature Laura Pausini is wonderful," FIFA President Gianni Infantino told FIFA. "Involving two incredible musicians, this great song 'Desire' is the world’s football song and having it as part of the opening ceremony of the opening match will set exactly the right tone at the beginning of the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup. This is going to be truly epic."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
FIFA's selection of Williams continues the organization's tradition of partnering with high-profile musicians to enhance its global events. The new anthem "Desire" will become part of football's soundtrack worldwide, potentially reaching billions of viewers across multiple tournaments. Williams' involvement follows his previous connections to the sport, including his Soccer Aid charity initiative that has raised millions for UNICEF through celebrity football matches.
AFPWHAT’S NEXT?
"Desire" will make its official debut ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup's opening match on June 14, 2025. The track will then become the standard musical accompaniment for all FIFA tournaments going forward, including the FIFA World Cup 26 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and beyond.