Keypoints:
- Tems, J Balvin and Doja Cat to headline final show
- French Montana and Swae Lee to open tournament
- Halftime show to support global education fund
MUSIC and football will merge on the global stage this July as FIFA launches its first-ever Club World Cup halftime show and opening ceremony, with African superstar Tems, Colombian reggaeton icon J Balvin, and US chart-topper Doja Cat headlining the final match celebration.
In a statement released this week, FIFA announced that the halftime show for the tournament final on Sunday, July 13 will be curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for global education initiatives.
Opening ceremony to kick off in style
The excitement begins on Saturday, June 14, with a vibrant opening ceremony led by Morocco-born rapper French Montana and American hitmaker Swae Lee. The performance will take place ahead of the tournament’s opening clash between Egyptian champions Al Ahly FC and Inter Miami CF at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
‘Man, this is big – the FIFA Club World Cup opening ceremony!’ French Montana said in a FIFA press release. ‘I can’t wait to bring that real energy, connect with all the fans and celebrate what soccer and music can do when they come together.’
Tems: ‘A beautiful moment’ for Africa and the world
Tems, who has taken global music charts by storm and earned multiple Grammy Awards, described her upcoming performance at the final as a meaningful milestone.
‘We’re going to bring the world together for a beautiful moment to celebrate football, feel the unity that music brings… I can’t wait to see you at the Club World Cup final,’ she told Variety.
FIFA said the final stadium show would ‘pulse with drummers, dancers and a choir,’ culminating in a powerful tribute to all 32 participating clubs.
Music meets purpose
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that revenue generated from ticket sales for the final show will be invested directly into the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, reinforcing the sport’s role in driving global change.
‘I am delighted to share that FIFA and Global Citizen will collaborate for the FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show to be headlined by J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems,’ Infantino said. ‘Together we are going to make history on a special occasion where football and music unite the world.’
World’s biggest club football tournament
This year’s edition of the FIFA Club World Cup is the largest ever, featuring 32 clubs from all six football confederations and 63 matches across 11 host cities in the United States.
The tournament will crown the first official FIFA club world champion, drawing what FIFA expects to be the largest global audience for any club-level football event.
With music and football sharing the spotlight, this inaugural Club World Cup aims to not only entertain but inspire — bringing global stars and fans together for a cause that transcends sport.
