Boyfriend duties call, but...: Trudeau on USA World Cup appearance with Katy Perry

Justin Trudeau attended the USA-Paraguay World Cup opener with Katy Perry in Los Angeles. His 'boyfriend duties' explanation sparked online debate as Canada began its own campaign.

In Short

• Trudeau watched USA beat Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12
• Perry performed at the opening ceremony before more than 70,000 spectators
• Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina as fans questioned his absence

As Canada launched its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau found himself facing a very different contest online - defending his decision to watch Team USA with girlfriend Katy Perry instead of supporting his home nation.

Trudeau was spotted in Los Angeles on Friday as the United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in its opening World Cup match. Sitting beside him was Perry, who had just performed during the tournament's opening ceremony.

The appearance quickly sparked criticism among Canadian fans, many of whom questioned why the country's former prime minister was not at Canada's own opening fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

When the backlash gathered pace, Trudeau responded with a cheeky message on social media.

"Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I'm rooting for to take the Cup."

WHY TRUDEAU WAS AT THE USA MATCH

Perry, 41, was one of the headline performers at the World Cup opening ceremony held before the USA-Paraguay clash at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Wearing a sparkling silver gown, the pop star performed in front of more than 70,000 spectators before the match got underway.

Videos and photographs from the stadium showed Trudeau, 54, watching from a luxury suite as Perry took centre stage.

The couple were later seen together throughout the evening, fuelling further discussion online.

CANADA FANS WERE NOT IMPRESSED

The timing of Trudeau's appearance raised eyebrows because Canada was beginning its own World Cup journey on the same day.

While Canada played out a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Trudeau was several hundred miles away at Team USA's opener.

Many Canadian supporters were quick to voice their frustration.

"Seeing Justin Trudeau at the USA-Paraguay game instead of the Canadian one just pissed me right off wtfffff," one user wrote on X.

Another commented: "Trudeau decided to be at this game instead of the Canada game. He might be in love with Katy Perry."

A third user mocked him, writing: "Justin Trudeau at the USA game with Katy Perry instead of the Canada game earlier today, holy fraud."

Others argued that Trudeau, no longer being in office, was free to spend his time however he wished.

PERRY'S VIRAL MOMENT WITH TRUDEAU

The conversation intensified after videos emerged showing Perry running barefoot across the arena after her performance and embracing Trudeau.

The affectionate moment quickly spread across social media and generated a warmer reaction than the criticism surrounding his absence from Canada's match.

For many fans, it became another chapter in one of the world's most unexpected celebrity relationships.

'THE LOVE OF MY LIFE'

The couple first sparked dating rumours in July 2025 when they were seen together in Montreal.

They later confirmed the relationship and have since made several public appearances together.

Earlier this week, Perry spoke openly about Trudeau while attending the premiere of her concert film Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live from Paris.

"I am very in love," she said.

"Actually, that show was after I met the love of my life, and so I felt very anchored by that, because I'm a little bit like a rainbow kite."

"I fly super-high and touch the veiled cosmos, and sometimes I need to be anchored, so to have that anchor finally makes me feel really whole now."

The comments attracted widespread attention and further fuelled interest in the couple's relationship.

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS ITS SAY

Trudeau's explanation that "boyfriend duties" had called was enough to trigger another round of jokes online.

One critic accused him of hypocrisy, while another described him as "still insufferable".

Some users even poked fun at the former prime minister for referring to himself as Perry's boyfriend.

"That's disgusting! Boyfriend at this age, you have big kids bro!" one commenter wrote.

Others were more sympathetic.

"I know the feeling bro," another user joked.

As Canada's World Cup campaign got underway, the football itself was briefly overshadowed by a former prime minister, a pop superstar and a social media post that turned a stadium appearance into one of the tournament's most talked-about off-field moments.

- Ends