Robbie Williams has been officially announced as the FIFA Music Ambassador, marking a major collaboration between the global football governing body and the renowned British pop icon.

To celebrate his appointment, Williams has written and recorded the first-ever Official FIFA anthem, titled Desire. The track, which features acclaimed Italian artist Laura Pausini, will be played as players walk onto the pitch at all FIFA tournaments and matches worldwide.

Desire will make its global debut ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup’s opening match later today (14 June), with a specially produced music video set to be broadcast on the stadium’s giant screens at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

“An Honour Beyond Words” – Williams on His FIFA Role
Speaking about the new role, Williams expressed deep personal pride:

“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.”

On crafting the new FIFA anthem, Desire, Williams 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 moment 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’m thrilled that Laura Pausini accepted my invitation to feature on the song – she’s an incredible artist with the perfect voice.”

Laura Pausini: “A Childhood Dream”
Italian superstar Laura Pausini echoed Williams’ sentiments:

“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 in front of passionate football fans, and to be heard by music fans around the world, will be truly amazing.”

New Music and Surprise Guests on Tour
In other news, Williams has recently concluded his ‘Britpop’ UK tour, which featured a host of surprise guest appearances, including all original members of 90s boyband Five, as well as Wiley, Lethal Bizzle, and Self Esteem.

The tour also saw performances with former X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan, Lulu, and Scottish singer and former Pop Idol finalist Michelle McManus.

New Album 'BRITPOP' Coming Soon
Robbie is now gearing up to release his first studio album in nearly a decade, also titled BRITPOP. The album is currently available for pre-order and has been previewed with the single Rocket, released last month, which features guitar contributions from Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi.

Williams on Creativity and Looking Ahead
Recently, while receiving the Icon Award at the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards, Williams spoke to NME about his upcoming album and creative journey. Reflecting on whether BRITPOP will capture the wild spirit of the 1990s, he quipped:

“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 the more guitar-driven direction of his new material, 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-guessing myself and trying to anticipate what people want. I just wanted to do something that I like.”