•Tems and her backup dancers on stage
Nigerian music star Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, reached a historic milestone last night by becoming the first African performer to grace the halftime stage at the FIFA Club World Cup Final.
The event took place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the 2025 edition of the global football tournament concluded, reports Daily Independent.
Tems shared the spotlight during the 15-minute halftime spectacle with international acts Doja Cat and J Balvin.
The show also featured surprise guest appearances by Coldplay and singer Emmanuel Kelly.
The performance was a collaboration between FIFA and Global Citizen. J Balvin kicked things off with his popular tracks, “Mi Gente” and “Reggaeton,” setting the tone for the night. Tems followed with her Grammy-winning hit, “Love Me JeJe.”
Doja Cat energised the crowd next with “Woman,” while Coldplay closed the show with their fan favorite “A Sky Full of Stars,” accompanied by Emmanuel Kelly.
Tems captivated both football enthusiasts and music lovers alike with her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence. Although she has yet to publicly comment on her performance, this moment adds to her series of international achievements, including her debut at the Met Gala and contributions to major Hollywood soundtracks.
Meanwhile, the match itself was a spectacle of its own. Chelsea stunned Paris Saint-Germain with a decisive 3-0 win, courtesy of Cole Palmer’s two goals and an assist to Joao Pedro all scored before halftime.
The final drew a massive crowd of over 81,000 spectators, among them U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, adding even more spectacle to the night.
With the victory, Chelsea became the first club to win the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. The triumph capped off a season in which the London side also claimed the UEFA Conference League title and secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
