Nigerian Grammy-winning artiste Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has become the first African singer to perform at the FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show.
Gatekeepers News reports that the electrifying performance took place on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the highly anticipated final of the global tournament in the United States.
Tems, known for her chart-topping hits like “Essence” and “Free Mind,” wowed the global audience with her powerful vocals and elegant stagecraft, showcasing her signature Afro-fusion sound. She now joins an exclusive list of global stars like Shakira and Jennifer Lopez who have performed on the FIFA stage.
The announcement of Tems as a headliner for the show by FIFA and Global Citizen, who co-produced the event, generated significant buzz. Social media was flooded with praise from fans and fellow celebrities, hailing the moment as “a win for Nigeria” and “proof that Tems is in a league of her own.”
Tems’ team shared behind-the-scenes photos and soundcheck moments on Instagram, captioning them with “History loading…,” building anticipation for the performance.
This milestone adds to her growing list of international achievements, including becoming the first Nigerian female artiste to debut at the Met Gala and featuring on soundtracks for major Hollywood films