Justin Trudeau Slammed After Skipping Canada’s World Cup Opener To Support Katy Perry.

Justin Trudeau has found himself at the center of a fresh online storm after he was spotted supporting Katy Perry at the World Cup opening ceremony in Los Angeles instead of attending Canada’s own historic tournament opener.

The former Canadian prime minister appeared at SoFi Stadium for the United States’ opening match against Paraguay, where Perry was one of the headline performers during the U.S. World Cup ceremony. The pop star performed before the game, while Trudeau watched from the crowd and later joined her as the couple drew attention with affectionate moments during the night.

For many entertainment fans, it was simply another public appearance from one of the most unexpected celebrity couples of the year. But for some Canadian supporters, the timing made the moment far more controversial.

Canada was also beginning its World Cup campaign that same day in Toronto, marking a major moment for the country as co-host of the 2026 tournament. Instead of being seen at Canada’s match, Trudeau was in Los Angeles with Perry — and critics online wasted no time calling him out.

Some fans accused him of turning his back on a national sporting moment. Others said it looked bad for a former prime minister to miss Canada’s opener while appearing at the U.S. ceremony. The criticism quickly became personal, with some social media users mocking his priorities and accusing him of choosing his relationship over his country’s team.

But others came to Trudeau’s defense.

Supporters argued that he is no longer prime minister and is free to attend whichever event he chooses. They also pointed out that Perry was performing on one of the world’s biggest stages, and that it made sense for him to support his girlfriend during such a major career moment.

That is what makes the backlash complicated. Trudeau may no longer hold office, but he remains one of Canada’s most recognizable public figures. Every appearance he makes — especially with a global pop star like Katy Perry — is still heavily scrutinized.

Perry and Trudeau’s relationship has already attracted huge attention. The pair were first linked after being seen together in Canada, and their romance has since grown more public through red carpet appearances, concerts and high-profile outings. Perry recently spoke warmly about being in love, adding even more interest to the couple’s public story.

Their World Cup appearance only intensified that fascination.

At the Los Angeles ceremony, Perry delivered a performance tied to the tournament’s U.S. opening celebration. Afterward, she and Trudeau were seen together, with videos circulating online of the couple sharing affectionate moments away from the main spotlight. For fans of celebrity romance, it was another sign that the relationship is serious.

For critics, however, the optics were impossible to ignore: Canada was playing, and Trudeau was in the VIP world of Los Angeles.

The controversy shows how difficult it can be for a former leader to step fully into private life. Trudeau may be out of office, but many Canadians still expect him to act as a national representative, especially during a global sporting event hosted partly by Canada.

Whether the backlash is fair or not, one thing is clear: Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau are no longer just a surprising couple. They are a public spectacle.

And this time, their romance collided directly with World Cup pride.