For Nigerian music powerhouse Tems, the global stage is no longer new territory, but on Sunday, 13 July 2025, she will mark yet another landmark in her meteoric rise. The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter has been officially announced as one of the headline performers at the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup Final halftime show, alongside Latin music giant J Balvin and chart-topping American rapper Doja Cat.
The event will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, the host venue for the climax of what is set to be the largest FIFA Club World Cup in history. With 32 clubs competing across 12 stadiums in 11 American cities, the final match promises to be a global spectacle, and organisers are pulling out all the stops to make the entertainment segment just as memorable.
Tems, renowned for her soul-stirring vocals and genre-defying sound, is no stranger to high-level collaborations or prestigious global appearances. But this moment marks her first major sports-entertainment crossover, placing her at the centre of an international campaign that fuses sport, music, and impact.
“We’re going to bring the world together for a beautiful moment to celebrate football, feel the unity that music brings, and improve the lives of millions of children,” Tems said in a statement, acknowledging the deeper significance of the performance.
The halftime show is part of a major partnership between FIFA and Global Citizen to launch the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The goal? To raise $100 million to improve access to quality education and grassroots football for children across the world. As part of the fundraising strategy, $1 from every ticket sold will go directly into the fund.
This appearance also marks Tems’ second collaboration with Global Citizen, following her acclaimed performance at the 2022 Global Citizen Festival in Accra, Ghana. Her inclusion in this historic lineup reflects not just her growing global influence but also the recognition of African talent as a central voice in the international entertainment space.
J Balvin, whose musical roots trace back to Medellín, Colombia, echoed the cultural pride surrounding the show. “From Medellín to MetLife. I’m honoured to headline the first-ever halftime show of the FIFA Club World Cup final,” he said.
Doja Cat, who has previously headlined Global Citizen concerts in Paris and New York, completes a powerful trio of artists representing diverse genres, cultures, and global audiences.
With Global Citizen also confirmed to produce the halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, this initiative sets a new precedent for how music and sport can jointly influence development conversations, not just with applause, but with tangible funding and transformative partnerships.
