ROBBIE WILLIAMS, NICOLE SCHERZINGER & VILLAGE PEOPLE SET TO LIGHT UP FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 DRAW

Football fans around the world are in for a night of glitz, glamour and global entertainment as the acts for tonight’s FIFA 2026 World Cup Draw have been revealed, and the line-up is nothing short of spectacular. Robbie Williams, the Village People and Nicole Scherzinger are among the major stars set to take the stage at Washington, DC’s iconic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The Final Draw, which determines the group-stage placements for the 2026 tournament, will be broadcast live on BBC Two this evening. And while millions will be tuning in for the football, this year’s entertainment offering promises a show big enough to match the scale of the world’s most-watched sporting event.

Pop legend Robbie Williams leads the bill. The former Take That star is gearing up for the release of his new album BRITPOP, and will perform tracks from the record, including recent singles Pretty Face, Rocket, Human and Spies. Known for his charismatic stage presence and powerhouse vocals, Robbie’s appearance adds a huge dose of star power to the evening, marking yet another milestone in his three-decade career.

He won’t be alone in commanding the stage. Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is also set to perform, bringing her unmistakable voice and show-stopping energy to the ceremony. Nicole, who has recently returned to global attention through her role in The Masked Singer and her critically acclaimed stage work, is expected to deliver one of the night’s standout performances.

Adding even more nostalgia and feel-good energy, US disco icons Village People, best known for hits such as Y.M.C.A., Macho Man and In the Navy, will bring their legendary party atmosphere to the event. With their unmistakable costumes and crowd-pleasing anthems, the group will no doubt have the audience on their feet.

To top it off, world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will bring a moment of classical brilliance to the proceedings. The globally celebrated vocalist, whose voice has graced international sporting ceremonies for decades, is expected to deliver a moving and powerful performance that contrasts beautifully with the pop-heavy line-up.

The ceremony will be co-hosted by a trio of big names: supermodel and TV star Heidi Klum, actor Danny Ramirez, known for roles in Top Gun: Maverick and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and comedian Kevin Hart, whose quick wit is guaranteed to bring humour to the formalities.

The football element of the evening also carries star power. Ex-Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand will officially conduct the draw, placing teams into their World Cup groups for the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The stage is set for the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final Draw on the 5 December in  Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center – Credit: instagram.com/fifaworldcup

This year’s Final Draw aims to combine the excitement of world football with the energy of a global entertainment spectacle, reflecting the scale of what will be the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. With 48 teams competing across three host nations, the 2026 tournament is set to be a cultural and sporting celebration unlike any before.

As the world prepares for kick-off next summer, tonight’s ceremony marks the first major milestone, setting the stage for the matchups, storylines and rivalries that will dominate global conversation in the months ahead. And with a star-studded cast taking over Washington, fans can expect a night full of unforgettable moments before the football even begins.