By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
FIFA has announced the debut of a halftime show at the final match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup — and among the headliners is a celebrated Nigerian music sensation.
The grand performance is set to take place on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in New York, New Jersey, and will be broadcast worldwide.
The globally anticipated show will feature powerhouse artists J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Nigeria’s own chart-topping talent, Tems marking a historic moment as FIFA blends football with the unifying power of music for the first time in a club competition.
The event coincides with the final match of FIFA’s revamped 32-team Club World Cup format — a tournament that will crown the first official club champion under the new structure.
Curated by Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin, the halftime performance aims to be more than just entertainment. It anchors a broader campaign to promote global education equity through the newly launched FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The initiative seeks to raise $100 million to provide quality learning opportunities for children worldwide.
“This is a historic moment—for me, for Latin culture, and for every kid who dreams big,” said Colombian superstar J Balvin, reflecting on the global significance of the occasion.
Representing Africa on the prestigious stage, Tems emphasized the emotional weight of the moment: “We’re going to bring the world together for a beautiful moment — to celebrate football and the unity that music brings.”
Announced earlier at the Global Citizen NOW Summit, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund serves as a catalyst for change, merging the worlds of sports, entertainment, and philanthropy.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the impact of this partnership: “Together we are going to make history on a special occasion where football and music unite the world.”
With millions expected to watch both the match and the musical celebration, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to be the largest global club tournament in history — and one that puts African talent center stage in a moment of unity, ambition, and global resonance.
