Opening ceremonies are supposed to create a shared starting point for a tournament. This one, at least from the reaction described in the update, seems to have done the opposite.
That matters because the first night of a World Cup sets the emotional frame. If the entertainment becomes the story, the football risks becoming the support act.
For a tournament opening in the United States, the expectation is usually a polished showpiece with broad appeal. Reports suggest the online backlash has overshadowed that aim and dragged wider arguments into the conversation.
The issue for is not simply whether some fans like Perry and others do not. It is that a showcase decision now appears to be feeding division rather than anticipation. When governing bodies chase mainstream reach, they also take on the risk of turning sport into a culture-war flashpoint.
The simplest escape route is obvious: let the football take over. If attention shifts back to United States vs Paraguay, the noise around the ceremony may fade quickly. But until kickoff gets closer, this looks like a storyline that could keep following - and one more reminder that, before a ball is kicked, tournament optics can be as volatile as anything on the pitch.