Soccer fans are voicing their dissatisfaction following the announcement that Katy Perry will headline the opening ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On May 8, the 41-year-old singer was revealed as the main act, sparking a wave of reactions from football enthusiasts. The news, shared on Pop Crave’s X account, garnered a mix of comments.
Many expressed displeasure with the choice, with one commenter stating, “Honestly, I think they could have chosen someone better.” Another added, “On behalf of the world of football, we don’t know Katy Perry.” Someone else chimed in with concerns about what songs she might perform, questioning, “This World Cup is going to be a disaster!”
A different commenter pointed out that Perry currently lacks a significant hit, asking, “What is she going to sing? Roar? Woke up? Last Friday night?”
However, some fans defended her selection, recalling her impressive performance at the 2015 Super Bowl halftime show. One supporter wrote, “Yo Katy Perry is headlining the World Cup opener at SoFi. I love it.” They expressed excitement about her energy, wondering if she might include songs like “Firework” or “Roar” in her set. Another fan stated, “Katy Perry headlining the 2026 World Cup opener at SoFi is huge. June 12th will be an iconic day,” with yet another adding, “She totally deserves it.”
Perry shot to fame with her No. 1 hit “I Kissed a Girl” in 2008, followed by the release of her popular album, *Teenage Dream*, in 2010. This album featured numerous hits including “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” and “California Gurls.” Her last album, *Smile*, came out in 2020, and she has released a few songs since then.
Recently, Perry was in the spotlight due to allegations made by Ruby Rose, an actress from *Orange Is the New Black*, who claimed on social media that Perry had assaulted her in a nightclub two decades ago. This led to an investigation by Australian police into the matter.
A representative from Victoria Police confirmed, “Detectives from the Melbourne Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) are investigating a historic sexual assault that occurred in Melbourne in 2010.” They mentioned it would be inappropriate to comment further as the investigation unfolds.
Perry’s representatives dismissed the allegations as “manifestly false,” with her rep stating, “The claims Ruby Rose has spread on social media about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous and reckless lies.” They emphasized that Ms. Rose has a history of making serious allegations against various individuals, which have been repeatedly denied.
