Justin Trudeau shrugs off criticism after missing Canada’s World Cup opener

Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry at team U.S.A's FIFA World Cup opening match in Los Angeles Stadium. Image courtesy of @kaxishk/ X

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing criticism from some Canadian soccer fans after attending the United States’ FIFA World Cup opener in Los Angeles, instead of Canada’s opening match in Toronto.

The backlash erupted Friday, when Trudeau was shown in the crowd at SoFi Stadium, where the U.S. faced Paraguay. The appearance came on the same night Canada played their first World Cup match on home turf, drawing 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.

As criticism spread online, Trudeau responded with a lighthearted explanation.

“Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I’m rooting for to take the Cup,” he wrote on X, accompanied by a Canadian flag emoji.

The comment did little to settle the debate. For some fans, Canada’s opening match represented a milestone moment for the country’s soccer program and a rare opportunity to celebrate the sport on home soil. Others argued Trudeau was under no obligation to attend and was simply supporting his partner.

His partner, international pop star Katy Perry, had her own role in the World Cup festivities. She performed during the tournament’s opening celebrations in Los Angeles and appeared to acknowledge both sides of the border by wearing Canadian and American flag pins.

The couple has become increasingly visible in recent months. Earlier this week, Trudeau and Perry made their first official red-carpet appearance together at the Tribeca Festival in New York City during the premiere of Perry’s concert film, Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live from Paris.

Their relationship has attracted steady public attention since romance rumours first surfaced last year following a dinner outing in Montreal. The pair have appeared together at several high-profile events in Canada and the U.S. ever since.

The World Cup, meanwhile, is expected to generate plenty of attention of its own over the coming weeks. The tournament runs through July 19, with matches taking place across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, including host cities Toronto and Vancouver.

For Trudeau, the episode may be a reminder that in Canada, choosing between national pride and date night can quickly become a public debate, especially when the World Cup is involved.

With files from CTV News’ Aarjavee Raaj