Trudeau Faces Backlash Over World Cup Absence

Trudeau, however, was absent from the Canadian fixture. Later that day, he was spotted at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where the United States defeated Paraguay 4-1. He attended the event alongside his girlfriend, singer Katy Perry, who headlined the American opening ceremony with a live performance before kickoff.

Photos circulating online showed the couple holding hands and watching the match from a luxury suite, sparking criticism from some Canadians who questioned his decision to miss his country’s opening game.

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Responding to the backlash on X, Trudeau defended his choice, saying, “Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I’m rooting for to take the Cup.” He emphasized that his attendance at the US event was a personal matter and insisted he continues to support Team Canada.

Public reaction was sharply divided. Critics accused Trudeau of prioritizing his personal life over a significant national sporting occasion, while supporters argued that, as a former prime minister, he is entitled to enjoy his private life without public scrutiny.

Trudeau and Perry first sparked romance rumors in July 2025 following a dinner outing in Montreal. The relationship became public later that year, and the couple made their red-carpet debut at the Tribeca Festival on June 8, 2026, during the premiere of Perry’s concert film, “Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live from Paris.”

The incident has also highlighted the growing intersection between sports and entertainment at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA has increasingly incorporated celebrity appearances and performances into tournament festivities to attract broader global audiences.

Although scheduling made it theoretically possible for Trudeau to attend both matches, he opted to attend only the US event, a decision that continues to fuel discussion across social media platforms.