Temilade Openiyi, the Grammy-winning Nigerian singer popularly known as Tems, has shattered another barrier by becoming the first African artiste to perform at the FIFA Club World Cup final halftime show.
The electrifying performance took place on Sunday during the highly anticipated final match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain — a game the former won 3-0.
Taking the stage with her signature grace and commanding presence, Tems delivered a mesmerizing set that blended her soulful vocals with captivating stagecraft.
She treated the global audience to a mix of her biggest hits, including ‘Essence,’ ‘Free Mind,’ and tracks from her critically acclaimed latest album, ‘Born in the Wild’.
With this milestone, Tems joins an elite list of international superstars who have graced the FIFA stage, such as Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
Tems started to gain popularity in 2020, courtesy of her collaboration with Wizkid on the song ‘Essence’.
In 2023, she earned her first Grammy for her contribution to ‘Wait For U’, the 2022 hit song by Future featuring Drake.
She clinched her second at the 2025 Grammy Awards for the ‘Best African Performance’ category.
Tems recently joined the ownership group of San Diego FC in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US — making her the first African female to achieve the feat.
The Nigerian singer has continued to break boundaries, proving that African artistes belong on the world’s biggest stages.
