In a major crossover between global football and pop music, FIFA and Global Citizen announced on Friday that Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin, American rapper and singer Doja Cat, and Nigerian artist Tems will perform at the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup Halftime Show.
The performance will take place on Sunday, July 13, 2025, during the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will be broadcast live and free worldwide via DAZN.com, and marks the first time FIFA has staged a halftime show during a club-level final.
“From Medellín to MetLife – I’m honored to headline the first-ever halftime show of the FIFA Club World Cup final,” Balvin said.
“It’s a historic moment – for me, for Latin culture, and for every kid who dreams big.”
Joining him on stage is Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems, who emphasized the event’s unifying mission.
“We’re going to bring the world together for a beautiful moment – to celebrate football, feel the unity that music brings, and improve the lives of millions of children through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund,” she said.
“I can’t wait – see you at the FIFA Club World Cup final!”
Doja Cat, a multi-platinum artist and Grammy winner, rounds out the high-profile trio. She previously headlined the 2024 Global Citizen Festival in New York and performed at Global Citizen LIVE in Paris in 2021.
Music Meets Mission
The show is part of a broader initiative tied to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which was unveiled by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans earlier this year. The fund aims to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and football for children globally.
One dollar from every ticket sold to Club World Cup matches in the United States will go toward the fund.
“For the first-ever halftime show in a FIFA competition, we’re proud to partner with Global Citizen to bring together a global superstar lineup,” Infantino said.
“Together we are going to make history on a special occasion where football and music unites the world.”
He added:
“FIFA and Global Citizen are partnering to support a powerful cause: giving every child the chance to learn, play, and dream. Not only that, but with every ticket sold, we’re investing in their future.”
Evans underscored the urgency behind the campaign: “We can’t end extreme poverty without ensuring every child gets the education they deserve.”
“That’s why, together with our partners at FIFA, we’re calling on football fans everywhere to take action.”
A Global Lineup, A Global Stage
The 2025 Club World Cup is set to be the largest edition yet. Held across 12 venues in 11 U.S. cities from June 14 to July 13, the tournament has expanded from 7 to 32 teams, now staged every four years rather than annually.
The prize money has also grown dramatically—from $5 million to $40 million.
The halftime show is being produced by Global Citizen, in collaboration with Live Nation, Done + Dusted, and DPS. Veteran live director Hamish Hamilton will direct, with executive producers including Guy Carrington, Hamilton, and Dave Meyers.
Chris Martin of Coldplay, Global Citizen Festival’s longtime curator, played a key role in assembling the artist lineup.
Tems previously performed at Global Citizen Festival: Accra in 2022, while Balvin has supported the organization through events such as Vax Live, Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, and One World: Together At Home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, FIFA and Global Citizen plan to expand this partnership. The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, also set for MetLife Stadium, will feature the first halftime show in a senior FIFA tournament final.
Referees to Wear Body Cameras
FIFA also plans to roll out referee body cameras during the 2025 tournament—a first in global football. According to Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee, the move is intended to give fans deeper insight and enhance transparency in officiating.
“The objective is to offer the TV viewers a new experience,” Collina said Wednesday.
