Former Take That icon Robbie Williams is among a range of huge music stars set to take to the stage at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey next month for the 2026 World Cup final
Robbie Williams will be bringing some English spirit to the 2026 Fifa World Cup finale as a headline performer. The cheeky former Take That star will appear at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday July 19 whether the Three Lions make it all the way or not.
He is to perform as part of the halftime show celebrations – which have been curated by Coldplay star Chris Martin. The Angels singer will be sharing the spotlight when he performs for millions of fans around the world – as he is to duet with Italian pop star Laura Pausini, 52.
Robbie, also 52, and Laura have been granted the honour of singing the FIFA football anthem Desire. And the pair are tipped to sing for the pleasure of billions as football fans from around the world will tune in to watch the final two teams battle for supremacy and scoop the Fifa World Cup trophy – and an impressive cash prize of $51m (£38m).
Robbie’s involvement in the ceremony was announced on Sunday with a source sharing that the star is “excited” to be taking part. They told The Sun: “Robbie loves football and is excited to play at this momentous gig. Of course, he hopes England will be one of the teams in the final.”
The Mirror has contacted representatives of Robbie Williams for comment. The Rock DJ singer will join a string of major stars who have also been booked to perform at the glitzy half time event.
Music icon Madonna, K-pop boy band BTS and World Cup mascot Shakira are also due to perform. The 2026 contest is being hosted by the USA – with matches also taking place in Canada and Mexico. Opening ceremonies for all three nations took place when the tournament kicked off earlier this month.
Fans were wowed on 11 June when Shakira and Burna Boy helped kick things off at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City ahead of the opening match of the 2026 competition. Brightly dressed Mexican dancers helped spread a messages of unity and diversity as 48 international teams prepared to begin their campaigns for the trophy.
A range of musicians took to the stage to entertain the crowds watching in the stadium and those watching from home. Maná performed the song Oye Mi Amor, while Danny Ocean performed Partidazo.
This was followed by a performance of Por Ella by Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda beforea a medly of songs were belted out by J Balvin and Ryan Castro. Headliners Shakira and Burna Boy then closed the opening ceremony with the official 2026 Fifa World Cup song Dai Dai – with an impressive fireworks display closing out the celebrations.
A flag ceremony then showed all 48 nations taking part – while Andrea Bocelli and Ejae performed the tournament’s official anthem DNA (More Than a Game). Tyla then performed the national anthem of South Africa while Alejandro Fernández sang the Mexican national anthem – with the two nations going on to be the first to play, and with Mexico coming out on top.
A similar opening ceremony took place in Canada on 12 June at the BMO Field stadium in Toronto. Alessia Cara performed the tracks Wild Things and Here while dancers created images of a moose, polar bear, and humpback whale to celebrate animals native to Canada.
Nora Fatehi, Vegedream, and Sanjoy then performed Siir Siir, and Jessie Reyez and Elyanna perfored the track Illuminate. Music legend Michael Bublé joined The Sole Power Choir to sing Bring It On Home to Me – while Alanis Morissette sang the Canadian national anthem and Aleksandar Gajić, a Yugoslav violinist, performed the Bosnian and Herzegovinan national anthem.
On the same day, an opening ceremony took place at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as America and Paraguay prepared to face off on the pitch. Future and Tyla performed Game Time while surrounded by dancers dressed in red, white, blue.
Lisa, Anitta, and Rema the performed a song called Goals – and Katy Perry and Tius Luka debuted a new song called Wonder. The American national anthem was performed by Dan + Shay, while Purahéi Soul performed the Paraguayan national anthem before the match.
According to FIFA, 2.9 billion viewers worldwide tuned in to watch the 2022 World Cup final – with a similar, and possibly larger, audience expected to watch the grand finale this year. England remain in the contest after qualifying in group L alongside Ghana and Croatia. Sadly, the Scottish team were sent home following the opening matches in Group C – with Brazil and Morocco advancing in that group.
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