Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau found himself at the center of a lighthearted cross-border debate after he was spotted cheering from the stands during the United States' opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup instead of attending Canada's first game of the tournament.Trudeau was in attendance at SoFi Stadium, officially known as Los Angeles Stadium, during the World Cup, on Friday night, June 12 as the United States cruised to a 4-1 victory over Paraguay. Cameras caught the 54-year-old sitting alongside his girlfriend, American pop star Katy Perry, who had performed during the tournament's opening ceremony before kickoff.His appearance quickly started online chatter, particularly because Canada's own World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina had taken place just hours earlier in Toronto, ending in a 1-1 draw. With many social media users jokingly questioned whether Trudeau had traded his allegiance for his girlfriend's home country. But the former prime minister was quick to set the record straight.— 401_da_sarpanch (@401_da_sarpanch) Reposting a New York Times article about his appearance at the FIFA World Cup on X, Trudeau playfully addressed the online speculation over his loyalties, writing: "Sometimes supportive boyfriend duties call. But you know who I'm rooting for to take the Cup," alongside an image of the Canadian flag.— JustinTrudeau (@JustinTrudeau) The message appeared to settle the friendly Canada-versus-USA debate, suggesting that while he was happy to support Perry during the American team's opener, his ultimate World Cup loyalty remains with Canada.But Trudeau's post drew new criticism on X, with some users questioning his decision to attend the United States' World Cup opener instead of Canada's match in Toronto. Conservative commentator Paul A. Szypula wrote, "Justin, the last thing you seem to know how to address are your duties to Canada," while another user, Kat Kanada, mocked his wording, commenting, "boyfriend at 50+? Haha. Cringe." Perry's role in the tournament's opening festivities, combined with Trudeau's appearance at the match, turned the pair into one of the biggest off-field talking points of the World Cup's opening day. But if Trudeau's latest social media post is any indication, he may be playing the role of supportive boyfriend in California while still hoping to see the Maple Leaf lift the trophy at the end of the tournament.