In a groundbreaking cultural moment for both global football and music, African Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Tems will headline the first-ever halftime show at the FIFA Club World Cup Final on July 13, 2025. The show will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and will also feature performances by global music icons Doja Cat and J Balvin. This marks a major milestone for FIFA, introducing entertainment programming at one of its premier tournaments, with the aim of blending sport, music, and social impact on the world stage.

The inclusion of Tems, one of Africa’s most influential new musical voices, symbolizes a powerful moment for Afrobeats and African representation on an international platform. Known for her soulful voice, introspective lyrics, and global hits such as “Free Mind” and her collaboration with Wizkid on “Essence”, Tems brings a deeply emotional and authentic presence to the stage. Joining her are Doja Cat, the genre-defying American artist behind hits like “Say So” and “Paint the Town Red”, known for her bold visuals and boundary-pushing live shows, and J Balvin, the Colombian reggaeton megastar whose energetic performances and global hits like “Mi Gente” and “Ginza” continue to push Latin music to mainstream prominence. Together, the trio will bring a multi-genre, multilingual performance to an expected global audience of millions.

This will be the first time FIFA has hosted a halftime show during a Club World Cup final, signaling a shift toward incorporating entertainment elements that mirror the success of the NFL Super Bowl. The move is also part of FIFA’s broader effort to modernize its tournaments and reach younger, more diverse audiences. The final, set to cap off the month-long 2025 FIFA Club World Cup an expanded version featuring 32 teams will be held at the massive MetLife Stadium, which seats over 82,000 fans and is one of the key venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

More than just music, the show has a philanthropic mission. It will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million by 2030 to improve education access for marginalized children worldwide. The halftime production is being curated by Chris Martin, frontman of Coldplay, in partnership with Global Citizen, a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting sustainable development. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have both expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the power of sport and culture to unite people and drive global progress.

Broadcast: Global livestream via DAZN

This landmark event represents a fusion of global sport, musical excellence, and social purpose. For Tems, it’s a historic elevation of Afrobeats into the global mainstream, following in the footsteps of artists like Burna Boy and Wizkid. For FIFA, it signals a commitment to using its platform to engage with cultural and humanitarian goals. With three music superstars from Africa, North America, and Latin America taking the stage, this halftime show reflects the truly global nature of football and the unifying power of music. As fans around the world tune in for the final match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, they’ll also be witnessing history: the debut of a halftime spectacle that could redefine how the beautiful game is celebrated.

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