Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sparked controversy for skipping his country's first World Cup match to attend a game in the United States, where his girlfriend Katy Perry performed. The opening matches in Toronto and Los Angeles took place hours apart, allowing Trudeau to watch the USA beat Paraguay 4-1 while Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.
Trudeau took to social media to defend his decision, saying 'sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call'. He added a Canadian flag emoji to show his loyalty to his home country. However, his actions were met with criticism from some Canadians, who called him a 'traitor' and a 'fraud'.
Trudeau and Perry, a pop superstar, have been in a relationship since July 2025. They officially confirmed their relationship with an Instagram post in December. The former PM was married for 18 years to TV host Sophie Grégoire before announcing their split in 2023.
The controversy surrounding Trudeau's decision highlights the complexities of balancing personal and professional life, particularly for public figures. As the World Cup continues, fans will be keeping a close eye on the teams and their leaders.