Justin Trudeau responds to criticism after he attends the United States’ opening World Cup match against Paraguay rather than being present for Canada’s first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Multiple outlets report that Trudeau was seen in the stands at the Los Angeles venue, alongside his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, who performed during the tournament’s opening ceremony and was linked to the U.S. match outing. The choice drew backlash from some Canadian football fans online, who questioned why Trudeau was not in Toronto for what they described as a historic moment for Canada’s national team.

Trudeau addresses the controversy with a joking comment on social media, saying “sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call,” while indicating that he continues to support Canada and wants the team to win. Coverage notes that the episode blends sports, politics, and celebrity attention, and it becomes widely discussed on social media. While outlets differ slightly in framing, they all describe Trudeau’s attendance at the U.S.-Paraguay game, his absence from Canada’s opener, and his public, light-hearted response.