The energetic and emotional track, created in collaboration with long-time musical partners Karl Brazil, Owen Parker, and with additional input from Erik Jan Grob, will serve as the official anthem for all FIFA tournaments beginning with the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to kick off on June 14, 2025.
“A Personal Honour,” Says Williams
Speaking on his appointment and the creative process behind Desire, Williams expressed deep personal enthusiasm:
“Music and football bring people together like nothing else – each with their own universal language of connection, spirit, and community,” he said. “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 continued:
“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.”
Williams also announced that the anthem features Laura Pausini, the Grammy-winning Italian singer renowned for her powerful vocals and international acclaim:
“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.”
FIFA’s Vision: Music Meets Football
Infantino praised both the song and the artists behind it, stating:
“Our FIFA Music Ambassador, Robbie Williams, has created a fantastic, emotional, and brilliant official FIFA anthem. To feature Laura Pausini is wonderful.”
“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.”
Music as a Global Unifier
Williams’ appointment is part of FIFA’s broader strategy of integrating high-profile musicians into its event ecosystem, a tradition that has included global stars like Shakira, Pitbull, and BTS in past tournaments. However, Desire is expected to become FIFA’s recurring anthem, soundtracking tournaments for years to come—including the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Robbie Williams has long blended music and football in his career, most notably through his Soccer Aid initiative, which has raised millions for UNICEF through celebrity charity matches.
A New Soundtrack for the Global Game
With Desire poised to debut during the opening ceremony of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, fans worldwide can expect a powerful mix of anthemic emotion, stadium energy, and cultural unity. If early reactions are anything to go by, Robbie Williams' next act may be just as globally resonant as his chart-topping past.