Louisville native Nicole Scherzinger don join Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini to sing the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, ‘Desire,’ for the final match between Spain and Argentina. The performance happen on July 19 at MetLife Stadium for East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Scherzinger, wey be 48 years old, na 1996 graduate of duPont Manual High School’s Youth Performing Arts School. She be famous as pop icon and lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls. She also get many film and TV roles, like for Disney’s ‘Moana,’ ‘X Factor,’ and ‘The Masked Singer.’ At 14, she act for ‘La Bête’ at Actors Theatre of Louisville, perform for musicals at duPont Manual High School, and join entertainment troupe at Kentucky Kingdom.
Robbie Williams, wey be British pop icon, also perform for the closing ceremony. Fans dey expect anything from am, because history show say e no dey follow corporate script. For 2018 World Cup opening ceremony for Russia, Williams give explicit unscripted message to global audience of billions. On June 14, 2018, for Luzhniki Stadium for Moscow, while singing ‘Rock DJ,’ Williams look directly into broadcast camera and sing ‘but I did this for free’ before thrusting middle finger into lens.
The gesture na retaliation against intense media and political scrutiny wey Williams face before the tournament. For 2018, relations between United Kingdom and Russia dey fragile after poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia for Salisbury. Then-British Prime Minister Theresa May confirm say no UK royals or government politicians go attend tournament. Human rights advocates criticise Williams for breaking unofficial boycott. Labour MP Stephen Doughty say e dey ‘surprising and disappointing’ say Williams agree to be paid by Russia and FIFA while Russian state dey accused of persecuting minority groups.
Financier Bill Browder blast Williams for social media, write say ‘There’s lots of ways to make money Robbie Williams, but selling your soul to a dictator shouldn’t be one of them.’ Williams later downplay the middle finger, claim say e be panicked response to countdown clock, but lyric change imply say e dey defy accusations of taking blood money from Kremlin.
Despite broadcast controversy, Williams’ relationship with FIFA remain intact. He compose ‘Desire’ as official anthem with Pausini and Scherzinger for pre-match presentation. As e prepare to perform for high-stakes final between Spain and Argentina, fans expect more diplomatic display for New Jersey, but television directors go watch im hands closely.
