Key facts
- Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the United States' World Cup opener against Paraguay.
- Trudeau chose to attend the US match instead of Canada's game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
- He cited 'supportive boyfriend duties' for his girlfriend Katy Perry's performance at the pre-game show.
- Trudeau responded to criticism on X, stating he was rooting for Canada to win the Cup.
- Trudeau and Perry have been publicly linked since 2025 and have attended several events together.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has addressed criticism for attending the United States' opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to support his girlfriend, Katy Perry, while Canada played its own opening game. Trudeau stated on X that 'Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call,' but also affirmed his support for the Canadian team with a flag emoji. The controversy arose after Trudeau was seen at the US vs. Paraguay match in Inglewood, California, instead of Canada's game against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto. Perry headlined the pre-match entertainment at SoFi Stadium. The couple, who reportedly sparked romance rumors in 2025, have made several public appearances together, including at the Tribeca Festival and Coachella.