Robbie Williams headlined the 2026 World Cup Closing Ceremony alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini, delivering a high-energy performance that became one of the most talked-about moments before the highly anticipated final between Spain and Argentina.

The spectacular ceremony took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, setting the stage for football’s biggest night. Millions of fans around the world tuned in as the tournament prepared to crown its champion, with the closing show bringing together some of the biggest names in music.

Robbie Williams led the celebration by performing FIFA’s official anthem “Desire” with global stars Nicole Scherzinger and Italian superstar Laura Pausini. The song, written by Williams, was created as FIFA’s first official anthem, following his announcement as the organization’s Music Ambassador.

Williams arrived on stage wearing a striking royal blue bedazzled tracksuit, instantly becoming a major talking point among viewers. His bold outfit quickly went viral on social media, with fans sharing their reactions to his unforgettable look.

Some viewers admitted they barely recognized the “Angels” singer at first, while others praised him for bringing his unique personality and confidence to such a massive global event. One fan wrote, “I didn’t recognize Robbie Williams,” while another celebrated his appearance, saying they loved seeing the pop icon perform on the World Cup stage.

The singer’s sparkling outfit also inspired plenty of jokes and comparisons online. Some fans compared his look to Paulie Walnuts from “The Sopranos,” while others made playful comments about his unusual fashion choice. However, many agreed that Williams’ charisma and entertaining stage presence made the performance even more memorable.

Alongside Williams, Nicole Scherzinger brought her powerful vocals and energetic performance style, while Laura Pausini delivered an emotional vocal highlight that impressed many viewers. Pausini’s passionate singing became one of the standout moments of the performance, with fans praising the combination of three different voices coming together for the special anthem.

The closing ceremony served as a grand celebration before Spain and Argentina faced off in the World Cup Final, with Spain eventually securing a 1-0 victory after Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in extra time.

The 2026 tournament also made history with the first-ever World Cup halftime show, featuring performances from major artists including Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, and others. The show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, added another layer of entertainment to football’s biggest event.

While many fans enjoyed the star-studded performances, former England footballer Wayne Rooney shared a very different opinion about the halftime show. The football pundit admitted he was not impressed, saying he liked many of the artists but felt the performance did not create enough excitement.

Despite the mixed reactions to some parts of the ceremony, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and Laura Pausini’s performance of “Desire” remained a major highlight, giving fans a memorable mix of music, emotion, and World Cup celebration.