Nigerian global music sensation Tems has achieved yet another groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first African artist to headline the FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show.
The historic performance took place at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final held at MetLife Stadium in the United States, placing the powerhouse vocalist on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.
Tems dazzled the global audience with a soul-stirring performance of her latest single, ‘Love Me Jeje’, blending African rhythm and elegance with international showmanship. The performance was part of a star-studded halftime spectacle produced by Global Citizen and curated by Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin.
Joining Tems on the lineup were global music heavyweights J Balvin and Doja Cat, alongside a special appearance by Emmanuel Kelly, the acclaimed Australian singer and the world’s first differently abled pop artist to perform at a FIFA halftime show. The event was not only a celebration of sport but also a powerful display of diversity, unity, and global music excellence.
Tems’ headlining appearance solidifies her status as a global icon, continuing her meteoric rise from Lagos to the world stage. Known for her ethereal vocals and emotionally resonant songwriting, the singer has gained international recognition through collaborations with artists like Wizkid, Drake, Future, and Beyoncé.
Her latest feat builds on a growing legacy of Nigerian representation at global football events. In 2022, Afrobeats superstar Davido made headlines as the first-ever Nigerian artist to perform at the FIFA World Cup main event, delivering a memorable performance of the tournament’s official anthem, ‘Hayya Hayya’, alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s Cardona and Qatari singer Aisha.
With this milestone, Tems not only represents the vibrance of Nigerian and African music but also continues to pave the way for future generations of artists from the continent to take center stage on the world’s most prestigious platforms.
