The 2026 FIFA World Cup has its official anthem, but the reaction from football fans suggests it's already facing an uphill battle for acceptance. The song, titled 'Desire', penned by Robbie Williams and performed live by him and Nicole Scherzinger, has been met with a wave of criticism following its debut at the World Cup draw in Washington, DC.
A Chorus of Disapproval from Fans
The live performance on Friday, December 5, 2025, served as the first introduction for many to the tournament's soundtrack. The track, which features lyrics like 'Aim high, fly by, destiny’s in front of you', was swiftly panned on social media platform X. One user, Asare_Richway, declared: 'That was the World Cup anthem? Hell NO!!!!' while another, Terry, branded it 'one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard'.
The criticism focused on the song's perceived lack of energy and its failure to live up to the legacy of past iconic World Cup anthems. Fans were quick to draw unfavourable comparisons to Ricky Martin’s 'La Copa de la Vida', Shakira’s 'Waka Waka', and Pitbull’s 'We Are One'. User Ankur Pramud questioned the tempo, asking: 'Why don’t people realize that football anthems have to be fast-paced?'
Williams Defends the Track
Despite the fan backlash, Robbie Williams, the Take That star turned FIFA music ambassador, has expressed confidence in the anthem. Speaking on talkSPORT, he explained how he co-wrote the song with Karl Brazil and Owen Parker. 'I pretty much knew what kind of song was needed for this occasion and I think we may have pulled it off,' Williams stated, later adding that he had 'sat down and watched 3000 games' to understand the feeling required.
He also heaped praise on his collaborator, Nicole Scherzinger, calling her 'completely amazing' and 'incredibly talented'. The official music video, released in July 2025 and also featuring Italian singer Laura Pausini, initially received a more positive response, with some YouTube commenters calling it 'absolutely stunning' and an 'absolute vibe'.
An Inescapable Soundtrack for 2026
Regardless of the mixed reception, 'Desire' is set to be an unavoidable part of the 2026 World Cup experience. The anthem will be played before every match as teams line up ahead of kick-off. The tournament itself, hosted across three nations—Canada, Mexico, and the USA—is scheduled to begin in June 2026.
For now, the debate rages on. While some hope it may become a 'slow burner', as one fan suggested, the immediate verdict from a vocal section of the football community is clear: this anthem has failed to hit the back of the net.
