Soccer fans revolt after Katy Perry is unveiled as headliner for World Cup Opening Ceremony

Katy Perry has been announced as a headliner for one of three upcoming FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies – and some soccer fans are not happy about it

The 41-year-old pop star will take the stage on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles' Inglewood neighborhood.

After The Athletic revealed Perry as a performer on Friday, angry social media users blasted the singer on an X thread from Pop Crave.

'I honestly think they could've picked someone better,' wrote one person, while another demanded, 'Stop trying to make Katy happen again. She's done.'

'What does she have to offer to the world at the World Cup opening???' another angry critic asked. 

And someone else pondered, 'What songs will she be performing? This World Cup is proving to be a disaster!'

One disgruntled fan referenced the sexual assault allegations recently launched against Perry by actress Ruby Rose.

'A sexual abuser with no hits in over a decade?' a social media user with the handle @DustinHatley7 tweeted. 

Last month Rose, 40, accused the music artist of assaulting her at Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne, Australia in 2010. Victoria Police are conducting an investigation into the allegation, which the singer has denied.

Perry has vehemently denied the accusation.  

About Perry's upcoming headlining show, one person wrote online, 'Y'all are trying so hard to make her relevant again, I'm crying.'

'She can't even headline an arena; why is she headlining the World Cup?' someone else scathed.

But others were more welcoming about the news, as one person weighed in, 'The World Cup used to be about the sport, the fans, and national pride.

'Now every global event turns into a giant pop spectacle. That said...Katy knows how to put on a show.' 

A Katy Perry fan account added: 'She will hype up the crown before the match, which is good. We missed the big pop stars for world cups.'

Perry will be joined by fellow entertainers Future, Sanjoy and Lisa, and Marilina Bogado. 

FIFA is hosting opening ceremonies in each host country – Mexico, the United States and Canada.

The will begin on June 11 at the historic Estadio Azteca as Mexico plays South Africa.

The following day will see the US face Paraguay in Los Angeles, and Canada against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto. 

Each musical act will represent the host nations and their opponents.

Perry's music career initially overlapped with the sports world when she headlined the 2015 Super Bowl 49 halftime show.

The news comes after the Woman's World singer attended the Met Gala in a white gown and futuristic headpiece on Monday.

Last week she used Instagram to share new loved up snaps with her politician boyfriend Justin Trudeau.

She nuzzled up to the former Canadian Prime Minister, 54, in two intimate snapshots.

The lovebirds were first romantically linked in July 2025 before going Instagram official in December. 

Elsewhere in her Instagram carousel, Perry shared a Scorpio horoscope reading, 'A 7-year journey begins.'

The Firework hitmaker split from ex-fiancé Orlando Bloom, with whom she shares five-year-old daughter Daisy, in early 2025.

The exes confirmed their breakup in July after swirling speculation about their relationship status.