World Cup draw performers: What to know about Village People, Robbie Williams and more music acts

Jake Mozarsky

•
World Cup draw performers: What to know about Village People, Robbie Williams and more music acts image

On December 5, 42 teams will learn their placement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during the World Cup Draw in Washington, D.C.

The draw, taking place at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, marks a pivotal moment in the countdown to the largest edition of the global tournament ever staged. For the first time, 48 nations will compete across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The ceremony will assign the 42 currently qualified teams — including the three host nations (U.S., Mexico and Canada) — into 12 groups of four. Six spots remain open, which will serve as placeholders for the teams that will qualify via the final European and inter-confederation playoffs set for March 2026.

During the draw, there will be performances from musical guests, including the Village People and their hit song, "YMCA." Here’s everything you need to know about the performers.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

World Cup draw performers

FIFA announced that there will be a few performances during the draw.

"The audience will be treated to some remarkable live performances," FIFA said in a press release. "Maestro Andrea Bocelli, one of the most acclaimed classical voices in history, will take the stage alongside global superstar Robbie Williams, who will perform with American singer and award-winning multi-hyphenate Nicole Scherzinger. Once the draw has concluded, Village People will treat the audience to an iconic performance of Y.M.C.A., their global anthem."

Beyond the impressive musical lineup, the star power will extend to the hosts, with supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart set to co-host the highly-anticipated event alongside actor Danny Ramirez.

MORE: World Cup draw results, 2026

Who are the Village People?

The Village People are an iconic American disco group that rose to fame in the late 1970s. They are instantly recognizable by their famous on-stage costumes and catchy, often campy, songs that became anthems of the disco era.

The group is known for its six core characters, particularly those popular in New York's Greenwich Village, the neighborhood that inspired the group's name. These characters include the Cop/Policeman, Construction Worker, G.I./Soldier, Cowboy, Native American, and Leather Man/Biker.

Their most enduring and globally successful song is "Y.M.C.A."

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

Who is Robbie Williams?

Williams is a highly successful English singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the boy band Take That. He left the group to launch a solo career, becoming the best-selling British solo artist in the UK and one of the best-selling artists of all time worldwide. He is known for hits like "Angels" and has won numerous awards, including a record number of Brit Awards.

Williams has won more Brit Awards than any other artist in history, including four for Best British Male and an Outstanding Contribution to Music award. He was also inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. 

Beyond his music career, he is a co-founder of the charity football event "Soccer Aid," and was a judge for the 2018 series of The X Factor in the UK.

BUY NOW: Get tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on StubHub

Who is Maestro Andrea Bocelli?

Bocelli is an internationally renowned Italian operatic tenor, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who is one of the world's most famous and best-selling classical artists of all time. He has recorded 15 solo studio albums of both pop and classical music, three greatest hits albums, and nine complete operas, selling over 90 million records across the world.

The renowned artist has been blind since he was 12 years old due to a football accident. Though, that has not stopped him from becoming one of the more inspiring voices. As Celine Dion said, "if God had a singing voice, it would sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli."

In 1998, Bocelli was named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People." 

Who is Nicole Scherzinger?

Scherzinger is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and television personality. She was a member of the group the Pussycat Dolls, one of the best-selling female groups of all time.

Following her time with the group, she became a prominent figure in reality and competition television. She has served as a judge on shows like The X Factor and is a long-time panelist on the U.S. Version of The Masked Singer. She also won season 10 of Dancing with the Stars.

Scherzinger has also earned significant acclaim for her work in musical theater. She won the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Norma Desmond in the West End revival of Sunset Boulevard, and also won the Tony Award when the production transferred to Broadway in 2024.

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

Contributing Writer