Excitement builds as Tems prepares to headline FIFA World Club Cup

Femi Fabunmi

Nigerian Grammy winner Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, will lead the halftime show at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final. The big event will happen on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

She will perform alongside other global stars, including Doja Cat and J Balvin.

Tems said: “We’re going to bring the world together to celebrate football, enjoy unity through music, and help millions of children through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.” She added: “I can’t wait. See you there!”

This isn’t Tems’ first Global Citizen event — she headlined the Global Citizen Festival in Accra in 2022.

Colombian star J Balvin also shared his excitement: “From Medellín to MetLife – I’m honored to headline the first-ever halftime show at the FIFA Club World Cup final. It’s a historic moment for me, for Latin culture, and for every kid who dreams big.”

The new, larger Club World Cup starts today, June 14, and runs until July 13 across 11 U.S. cities. A total of 32 teams from every continent will compete.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the partnership a “powerful symbol of unity and purpose,” saying, “Together, we will make history as football and music bring the world together. With each ticket sold, we are investing in children’s futures.”

Hugh Evans, CEO and co-founder of Global Citizen, emphasized the mission: “To end extreme poverty, every child must get a good education. We’re asking football fans everywhere to join this movement and make real change.”