What to know
- Trudeau attended the U.S. World Cup opener against Paraguay with Katy Perry, missing Canada’s first match on Friday.
- Canada was simultaneously playing Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.
- Some Canadians criticized Trudeau for missing Canada’s historic opener.
- Trudeau defended his decision, saying he’s still rooting for Canada.
- Social media reactions ranged from outrage to jokes about “boyfriend duties.”
Justin Trudeau found himself defending his World Cup attendance choices after appearing at the United States’ tournament opener instead of Canada’s historic first match on home soil.
Why Justin Trudeau was at the U.S. opener
On Friday, Team Canada played its first match at the 2026 World Cup against Bosnia in Toronto. But at the same time, Team USA played against Paraguay. Trudeau’s popstar girlfriend, Katy Perry, was set to perform in the U.S. during the opening ceremony. So, Trudeau faced a tough choice: show up in Canada and disappoint his girlfriend, or show up in the U.S. and disappoint Canadians. So, he chose the latter.
Trudeau was pictured with Perry at the U.S. World Cup, and, as expected, many Canadians were unhappy with his decision.
From @TheAthleticFC: On a day that Canada and the United States both opened their campaigns at the World Cup, Justin Trudeau opted to watch Team USA, where his girlfriend Katy Perry was performing in the opening ceremony. https://t.co/2OoLRlIjaV
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 13, 2026
Canadians react online
Social media users were quick to join the conversation online.
“Never had Canada’s best interests at heart anyway, doesn’t surprise me,” one Instagram user wrote.
“I can’t believe this guy was running the country for almost a decade!! Says it all,” another added.
“We don’t want him. The USA can keep him,” another user said.
Trudeau responds to criticism
In response to the criticism, Trudeau defended his choice.
Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I’m rooting for to take the Cup 🇨🇦 https://t.co/85DXvsyCPp
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 14, 2026
“Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I’m rooting for to take the Cup 🇨🇦,” Trudeau posted on X, quote-posting the New York Times post.
Many online users reacting lauded Trudeau’s “elite multitasking.”
“The guy is wise enough not to end up sleeping in the dog’s house,” one X user joked.
“Supporting your partner and your country at the same time is elite multitasking,” another said.
“As Katy said, “It isn’t just a pin, it’s a lifestyle,” another referenced Katy wearing both U.S. and Canadian pins on her outfit.
But some Canadians are still disappointed in Trudeau.
“Any Canadian who chooses to cheer the US over Canada is a traitor. This is hard for me to say, Justin, because I’ve always stood up for you when everyone was putting you down. You sold your soul,” one user wrote.
“The guy who told Canadians not to travel to the US is now living there for ‘boyfriend duties.’ Politicians really are the worst,” another added.
