Opera icon Placido Domingo has confirmed he will be performing before the World Cup final for a sixth time.

The Spaniard will sing at Rio de Janeiro's HSBC Arena on 11 July (14), two days before the soccer final at Maracana Stadium.

The classical extravaganza will also feature pianist Lang Lang, soprano Ana Maria Martinez and the Orquestra Sinfonica Brasileira.

Domingo has been closely associated to the World Cup since 1970 and he sang the 1982 theme song in Spain, El Mundial.

He tells Billboard.com, "I have friends from all around the world, and they are really fanatics of soccer and music. It's great to see many of the people I know."

And he's hoping his native Spain can hold on to the Cup, adding, "I think they have as many chances as anybody else. There's Italy or Germany - they always smell the success. They are the other two teams that have been so many times champions, and they are ready."