Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match in the United States on June 14 [1].
The decision has sparked backlash among Canadian fans because Trudeau chose to watch the U.S. face Paraguay in Los Angeles rather than attending Canada's own opening game [1, 2].
Trudeau, 54, was spotted at the venue alongside his girlfriend, singer Katy Perry, 41 [3]. The couple attended the high-profile event in Los Angeles, where the U.S. national team played Paraguay [1, 4].
When asked about the decision to skip the Canadian match, Trudeau said that boyfriend duties call [5].
This appearance marks a public outing for the former leader and the pop star during the tournament's early stages. The event took place on Friday, June 14 [1, 5].
Reports indicate that the former prime minister's presence at the U.S. match instead of the Canadian one has drawn significant attention from sports followers, and political critics [1, 2]. While the match provided a glamorous setting for the couple, the timing coincided with the critical start of the tournament for the Canadian national team [1].
“"Boyfriend duties call"”
The situation highlights a shift in Trudeau's public persona from a political leader to a private citizen, though his choices continue to be viewed through a nationalistic lens by the Canadian public. By prioritizing a personal relationship over a national sporting milestone, the former prime minister risks alienating a fanbase that expects symbolic support for the national team during a major global event.
