Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has etched her name in the history books as the first African artist to grace the FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show stage.
Her groundbreaking performance took place on Sunday, July 13, 2025, during the final match of the prestigious global football tournament. The event, held in the United States, drew millions of viewers from across the world.
Tems was announced as a headliner for the halftime show by FIFA in collaboration with Global Citizen, who co-produced the event. Known for her soulful vocals and genre-blending style, the singer performed to an enthusiastic global audience, delivering a set that highlighted her Afro-fusion sound and artistic flair.
Famous for chart-topping tracks like “Essence,” “Free Mind,” and her most recent project, Born in the Wild, Tems’ halftime show featured a blend of powerful vocal delivery and captivating stage presence. Her performance earned her a spot alongside global icons like Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, both of whom have previously performed at FIFA events.
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This historic appearance is the latest in a series of international accolades for Tems. Earlier this year, she became the first Nigerian female artist to appear at the Met Gala and has lent her voice to major Hollywood soundtracks.
Fans and celebrities alike took to social media to celebrate the moment, describing it as “a win for Nigeria” and calling Tems “a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.”
While Tems has not issued an official statement, her team shared behind-the-scenes moments and soundcheck footage on Instagram, teasing the performance with the caption, “History loading…”
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup featured elite football clubs from around the globe competing for the coveted title, with Tems’ performance adding an unforgettable cultural highlight to the final showdown.
