About
Desire is a 2025 single by Robbie Williams featuring Italian vocalist Laura Pausini. Announced in July 2025, it became the first officially designated FIFA Anthem and is scheduled for use across FIFA tournaments worldwide, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The track debuted publicly during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where it was played ahead of each fixture as teams lined up.
The song was co written by Williams with Karl Brazil, Owen Parker and Erik Jan Grob. Recording took place in early 2025, with Pausini added as a guest vocalist to emphasise the project’s international scope. The release coincided with Williams’s appointment as FIFA Music Ambassador, a role created to integrate commissioned music more prominently into global football events.
Stylistically, Desire is built as a stadium anthem, combining a driving rhythmic bed with a broad, ascending chorus. Its lyrics focus on unity, pride and competitive spirit, aligning with FIFA’s intention to establish a universal pre match musical identity. Pausini’s contribution provides contrast to Williams’s lead vocal, underscoring the song’s cross cultural framing.
Music and football bring people together like nothing else, so being part of this is a real honour.Robbie Williams
Critical reception noted the song’s clear aim as an event piece rather than a conventional pop single. Its adoption as an official FIFA anthem positions it as a recurring element of major international tournaments, marking a notable extension of Williams’s work beyond the traditional album and touring cycle.
Lyrics
Credits
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Vocalist
Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini -
Songwriter
Robbie Williams, Karl Brazil, Owen Parker, Laura Pausini, Erik Jan Grob