Trudeau defends skipping Canada's World Cup opener to support girlfriend Katy Perry

Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has defended his decision to miss Canada’s opening World Cup match after criticism that he prioritised attending his girlfriend Katy Perry’s performance at the tournament’s US launch ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday.

Canada faced Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first game of the tournament while Trudeau was in Los Angeles, where Perry headlined the opening ceremony ahead of the United States’ match against Paraguay. Responding to the backlash on X on Sunday, Trudeau wrote: “Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I’m rooting for to take the Cup,” alongside a Canadian flag emoji.

Perry performed her hit “Wonder” at the ceremony, which marked the first World Cup match on US soil since 1994. Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side went on to win their opener 4-1 against Paraguay. Other performers at the Los Angeles event included Tyla, rapper Future, Brazilian singer Anitta, and Blackpink’s Lisa.

Canada’s own opening ceremony in Toronto featured performances from Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette.

Trudeau and Perry’s relationship was first reported in July 2025, with the couple going public in December. Trudeau, 54, stepped down as Liberal Party leader and concluded a nine-year tenure as Canada’s prime minister in January 2025. He was previously married to broadcaster Sophie Grégoire Trudeau for 18 years before the couple separated in 2023; they share three children.

Perry, who rose to prominence with “I Kissed a Girl” and has since scored five UK chart-toppers and two UK number one albums, was previously married to comedian Russell Brand and later engaged to actor Orlando Bloom, with whom she has a daughter, Daisy Dove. The pair announced their separation last July.