Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after attending the United States’ FIFA World Cup match against Paraguay instead of watching Canada’s opening game of the tournament.
Trudeau was spotted at the Los Angeles stadium alongside his partner, pop superstar Katy Perry, as the United States recorded an impressive 4-1 victory over Paraguay. The appearance quickly attracted attention online, particularly among Canadian soccer fans who questioned why the former prime minister chose to attend the American match while Canada was playing one of the most significant games in its football history.
At the same time, Canada was competing against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its opening World Cup fixture. The match ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw, earning Canada its first point of the tournament and marking an important milestone for the national team on football’s biggest stage.
Many fans expressed disappointment that a prominent Canadian political figure was not present to support the national team during such a historic occasion. Social media platforms were flooded with comments criticizing Trudeau’s decision to cross the border and attend the American match instead.
As the criticism intensified, Trudeau responded directly through social media with a light-hearted explanation. He wrote that “sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call,” while adding that Canadians should have no doubt about which team he hopes will ultimately lift the World Cup trophy.
The remark quickly attracted further attention, with supporters praising his candid and humorous response, while critics argued that the explanation did little to address concerns about his absence from Canada’s match.
The episode also marked one of Trudeau’s most public acknowledgements of his relationship with Perry. Although the couple has been seen together on numerous occasions over the past year, his social media response represented a rare and informal reference to their relationship.
For many observers, the controversy reflects the growing passion surrounding football in Canada as the country plays a prominent role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With interest in the sport reaching unprecedented levels, national team matches have become major moments of pride for Canadian fans.
Despite the criticism, Trudeau made it clear that his loyalty remains with Canada. While he may have watched the United States secure an emphatic victory over Paraguay, he emphasized that he continues to support Canada’s quest for success at the World Cup.
On the field, both North American teams enjoyed positive starts to their campaigns. The United States opened with a convincing win, while Canada earned a valuable point against Bosnia and Herzegovina, keeping its hopes alive as the tournament progresses.
Whether Trudeau’s “boyfriend duties” explanation will satisfy disappointed fans remains debatable, but the incident has undoubtedly become one of the more talked-about off-field stories of the World Cup’s opening weekend.