TEMS MADE HISTORY AT 2025 FIFA'S HALF TIME SHOW.

Tems Made History at FIFA's First Halftime Show: Why It Matters for Nigerian Music
Nigerian star Tems became one of the first artists to perform at a FIFA halftime show when she headlined the inaugural Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13, 2025. She shared the stage with J Balvin and Doja Cat, with Coldplay's Chris Martin curating the show. A year later, the first World Cup final halftime show featured Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber, with Burna Boy representing Nigeria.
What FIFA and Tems said
FIFA announced the show with Global Citizen to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for children's education. President Gianni Infantino said the show would be a moment where football and music unite the world. Tems said she wanted to bring "the world together for a beautiful moment." She performed "Love Me Jeje," and FIFA later said her set put Afrobeats at the forefront and showed the global reach of African culture.
Why this matters for Nigerian music
Tems was the only African artist on that bill, so her set showed that Nigerian music belongs on football's biggest stage. It built on earlier milestones: she headlined the 2023 NBA All-Star halftime show and played Coachella in 2024. She also joined the ownership group of San Diego FC, which ties her career to the sport itself. The 2026 final then included Burna Boy, who called representing Africa "a privilege and a responsibility." Together, the two moments suggest Nigeria artists are now part of the main lineup at global events and, not just guests.
Coverage after the show was warm. Ghanaian outlet GhanaWeb described Tems as the first African artist to perform at the Club World Cup final halftime show. Lifestyle site Unruly praised her calm, graceful stage presence and said her set stood out for its depth next to the more high-energy performances on the bill. Her choice of "Love Me Jeje" was singled out as a fitting showcase for Nigerian music.
Sources: GhanaWeb, Unruly Nigerian artists are now part of the main lineup at global events, not just guests..