The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is underway and the final draw, scheduled for this week in Washington, D.C., just got a glamorous upgrade. FIFA has confirmed a star-studded entertainment lineup that marries global football with international music icons. Nicole Scherzinger, classical-legend Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, and disco-era icons Village People are set to headline the draw show, transforming it from a procedural sports event into a full-blown cultural spectacle.

The draw will take place at the historic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, December 5, a symbolic venue that underscores how the 2026 tournament aims to combine sports, global culture, and entertainment at scale. With the World Cup expanded to 48 teams and spanning three host countries (the U.S., Mexico, and Canada), the event promises to be the most watched and most globally inclusive in the history of the tournament.

Each performer brings their own unique flavor to the lineup. Andrea Bocelli one of the most celebrated voices in classical music is expected to offer a powerful, emotional performance, bridging classical gravitas with global sports. Robbie Williams, a global pop superstar and longtime football fan, will bring his signature energy and mass appeal to the stage. Nicole Scherzinger, with her rich performance history across music, stage, and television, adds contemporary star quality. And Village People, armed with their timeless anthem “Y.M.C.A.”, promise a nostalgic and universally recognized moment to close the night with flair.

The decision by FIFA to turn the draw into an entertainment-driven event speaks to how the 2026 World Cup is being shaped not just as a tournament, but as a global cultural moment one that blends sport, music and spectacle. For many fans, the performances will be just as much a part of the experience as the matchups. For the artists involved, it’s a chance to perform before a worldwide audience at a critical moment in sporting history.

Whether you’re tuning in for the football or the music, this year’s final draw is poised to deliver on both fronts giving fans a taste of what to expect in 2026: a World Cup that unites passion, performance and global scale in one unforgettable event.