Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his choice to attend a United States World Cup match instead of watching Canada's opening game, where his girlfriend pop superstar Katy Perry performed at the opening ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday. The former PM skipped Canada's 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, which kicked off at 3 p.m. EDT, opting instead to watch the USA's 4-1 victory over Paraguay that began at 9 p.m. EDT. Cameras caught Perry running off stage to greet Trudeau with a kiss during the Los Angeles match, where the pair were shown sipping beers together in the stands as televised clips went viral on social media.
Trudeau responded to the criticism on social media with a post reading: 'Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I'm rooting for to take the Cup,' accompanied by a Canadian flag emoji. Perry performed her 2024 song 'Wonder' from her album 143 at the opening ceremony, telling People Magazine she chose the relatively unknown ballad because it was 'very fitting for the ceremonial song.' Trudeau and Perry have been publicly linked since July 2025 and officially confirmed their relationship with an Instagram post in December.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics from across the political spectrum condemned Trudeau's choice as tonedeaf. Canadian social media users were particularly pointed in their reactions. One X user from Toronto called it 'a slap in the face of this country. Distasteful doesn't begin to cover it.' Others used stronger language, with some calling Trudeau a 'traitor' and a 'fraud.' Conservative commentators noted that as a former head of government, Trudeau remains a public figure whose actions carry symbolic weight. Some argued his presence at an American match during Canada's opening game sent the wrong message about national priorities. The backlash intensified as clips from both matches circulated online, with Trudeau's absence from Toronto particularly highlighted given his high-profile status in Canadian political life.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices largely offered measured responses to the situation. Some supporters noted that Trudeau is no longer a sitting official, having stepped down as prime minister earlier this year, and is entitled to personal time. 'He's a private citizen now,' one X user wrote in defense. 'Let him live his life.' Supporters of the former PM highlighted that he had publicly stated he was rooting for Canada to win the World Cup despite attending another match. Others pointed out that international sporting events often create scheduling conflicts and noted Perry's cultural significance as a global entertainment figure. Trudeau served as Canada's prime minister for nearly nine years before resigning, with his relationship with Perry drawing sustained media attention since it became public.
What the Numbers Show
Canada drew Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 in their World Cup opener at BMO Field in Toronto before an announced crowd. The USA defeated Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where Perry performed for a reported audience of over 70,000. The two matches kicked off approximately six hours apart, making it physically possible to attend both venues with private jet travel between cities. Trudeau and Perry have been publicly linked since July 2025, approximately seven months before their relationship confirmation on Instagram in December. This marks Perry's first major public appearance alongside Trudeau at a high-profile sporting event since the couple went official.
The Bottom Line
The incident highlights how former political leaders navigate personal relationships under ongoing public scrutiny. While Trudeau no longer holds office, his actions as Canada's longest-serving Liberal prime minister continue to generate strong reactions from Canadians who view him as representing their country on the world stage. Perry's position as a global entertainment figure adds another dimension, with her performance drawing international attention to the World Cup opening. What happens next may depend on whether Trudeau and Perry appear together at future Canadian matches during the tournament or choose to avoid further public appearances that could draw criticism.