Justin Trudeau has blamed his absence from the Canadian World Cup opener on ‘boyfriend duties’ after going to support Katy Perry at the US opening ceremony instead.
The former Canadian Prime Minister and I Kissed A Girl singer have made quite the unlikely couple since going public with their relationship last year.
54-year-old Justin was criticised for skipping his country’s first game in the international tournament, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Meanwhile, Katy, 41, took centre stage as the opening ceremony began in Los Angeles on Friday, just before the USA’s game against Paraguay.
Katy’s set came while Canada faced off against Bosnia and Hertzegovina after rallying performances from Alanis Morrisette and Michael Bublé in Toronto.
Showing where his loyalties lay, Justin offered his support from afar – having spent the day supporting his girlfriend in LA.
As the situation unfolded, New York Times broke the news of Justin’s absence from the Canada match, tweeting: ‘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.’
In response, Justin quoted the tweet, writing: ‘Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call.’
Signing off with an emoji of the Canadian flag, he added: ‘But you know who I’m rooting for to take the Cup.’
Still, some Canadian fans couldn’t help but feel neglected, with Canadarescue401 accusing him of ‘trolling Canadians’ in the comments below.
Among those accusing him of ‘hypocrisy’ was JVanluyk, who reminded the former Prime Minister how he had ‘told us not to vacation in the US but here you are in the states and spending like 80% of your time there.’
The unlikely couple were were first linked in late July 2025, after being spotted enjoying what appeared to be a romantic dinner in Montreal.
Soon after, they were caught in a passionate embrace while aboard a luxury yacht in California.
He was then seen in the crowd at her concert in Montreal – accompanied by his teenage daughter, Ella-Grace – where he mouthed along enthusiastically to the pop star’s hits.
An insider at the time told Metro that Perry and Trudeau are ‘having a lot of fun together.’
‘He absolutely loves her sense of humour and thinks she’s incredibly talented,’ the source shared.
They added: ‘They come from very different backgrounds, but Katy is quite in tune with current affairs and politics. She finds Justin incredibly charming and intelligent.’
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In October, Katy appeared to poke fun at her budding romance while on stage for her Lifetimes tour to London’s O2 Arena.
Addressing the crowd, she said: ‘London, England, you’re like this on a Monday night after a whole day at work and a whole day at school?
‘No wonder I fall for Englishmen all the time… but not anymore,’ she said, as per The Sun.
This was in reference to her previous relationships, specifically her marriage to comedian Russell Brand, which lasted only 14 months.
She then announced her engagement to actor Orlando Bloom in 2019, only to split in 2025, after nine years together.
She shares daughter Daisy Love Bloom with Orlando, born in August 2020.
As for Justin, he was married to Sophie Grégoire Trudeau from 2005 to 2023, after growing up together as children in Montreal.
Reconnecting as adults, they began dating in 2003, and later welcomed three children together: Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien.
In August 2023, the couple announced their separation, releasing a joint statement which said that they had reached the decision ‘after many meaningful and difficult conversations.’
Since then, they have continued to co-parent their children together, even appearing as one at family and national events.
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