Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain face off in the first Club World Cup final under the new format - with FIFA taking a SuperBowl style approach to the occasion by enlisting Robbie Williams as the pre-match entertainment
Robbie Williams performs live on stage at the Royal Crescent in Bath
Robbie Williams has been booked to perform at the Club World Cup final
(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Pop star Robbie Williams will lead a star-studded spectacular show at the Club World Cup final.
British megastar Williams and singer Laura Pausini perform their song Desire before Sunday’s showpiece game at the MetLife Stadium and FIFA have confirmed that will also be the anthem for next year’s World Cup and beyond. And for the first time ever at a FIFA event, there will also be a special half time show produced by Global Citizen with a star-studded line-up including J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems with a celebration of dance and culture.
Legendary announcer Michael Buffer will also be taking part in the pre-match show with his iconic catchphrase “Let’s get ready to rumble!” The national anthem of the United States will also be performed, accompanied by a colour guard featuring a dramatic flyover and dazzling pyrotechnics as the players walk on.
It is designed to be a spectacular show before the final and at half time and is likely to be eye-catching as a special stage has also been erected high up on one stand. FIFA partnered with Williams as their new music ambassador and the pre-match entertainment has been kept under wraps until now.
It has also been widely reported that President Donald Trump will attend the Club World Cup final. Williams said before the tournament: “Music and football bring people together like nothing else - each with their own universal language of connection, spirit and community.
“When those worlds come together, there’s nothing like it - and I’m beyond honoured to be FIFA’s 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.
“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 feeling 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 know I’ll get to perform this song at some of my favourite tournaments in the coming years, which fills me with excitement. It’s a real honour that Laura Pausini accepted my invitation to feature on the song – she’s an incredible artist with the perfect voice.”
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