WORLD CUP 2026
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WATCH: New Zealand defender Finn Surman | 2026 FIFA World Cup
Who Is Tim Payne? How a New Zealand Defender Became a World Cup Folk Hero
The New Zealand defender is far from the least-known player at this summer’s World Cup.
Ben Steiner
|
Jun 1, 2026
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Tim Payne has more followers than every NHL team.
Tim Payne has more followers than every NHL team. | Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images, Ethan Cairns/Getty Images/FIFA
Tim Payne isn’t the best player at the World Cup. He’s not playing for a contender, and he doesn’t play for a globally famous club team. All of that is exactly why he has gained over three million followers in less than a week.
The 32-year-old New Zealand utility player is bound for this summer’s tournament as his nation returns to soccer’s greatest stage for the first time since 2010. The right back plays his club soccer for the Australian A-League’s lone New Zealand club, the Wellington Phoenix, but has become the folk hero of this summer’s tournament already.
An Argentine soccer influencer, Valen Scarsini, made a video suggesting that Payne might be the least known player at the World Cup and encouraging his followers to follow him and comment on his posts. The veteran defender quickly rose to overnight fame.
“We have to start mentioning Tim Payne everywhere … We have to make videos featuring the legend of Tim Payne. We have to get Tim Payne on everyone’s lips,” Scarsini in his initial English video, before making a similar one in Spanish.
“The goal before the World Cup is to see how many people know Tim Payne before the Cup starts. We have to build a good fanbase to cheer for him. I have faith [New Zealand] can go through.”
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Tim Payne Gets Song and More Followers than NHL, MLB teams
Since the rush of followers, Payne has become one of the most popular players in this World Cup, with many comments joking that the tournament is defined by his presence, not by Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Christian Pulisic or others.
The phrase No Payne, No Gain has gone viral alongside images of the versatile player, and a seemingly AI-generated song has accompanied many viral videos, with the Spanish lyrics comparing him to Ángel Di María and touting him as a legend that a grandfather once spoke of.
“It’s been a pretty crazy 48 hours to say the least. I just wanted to also express that I’m very grateful to be representing my country at this World Cup, and I appreciate all the love from around the world,” Payne posted to his Instagram, adding that he is not the biggest user of social media, so the explosion came as a shock. “Muchas Gracias.”
With his viral outbreak, Payne now has more followers (3.9 million at the time of writing) than the New Zealand Football Association and is more followed on the platform than any NHL team, while trailing only the LA Dodgers and New York Yankees in MLB.
As for the least-followed player at the World Cup? Among those already named to official squads, Curaçao backup goalkeeper Trevor Doornbusch has just 1,700, 11 days before his nation becomes the smallest to ever play at a World Cup.
A Tim Payne Coffee Shop?
Payne’s New Zealand has suddenly become a hot ticket. His nation will open the World Cup against Iran in Los Angeles on June 15, before playing their final two Group G games at Vancouver’s BC Place against Egypt and Belgium on June 21 and June 26.
The Vancouver crowds are expected to be rowdy, with a large Kiwi and Australian community embracing Canada’s west coast mountains as a work opportunity. Australia, meanwhile, will open the tournament against Türkiye in Vancouver on June 13.
How big could Payne’s popularity get? There seems to be no limit. Yet, there are now New Zealand supporters lobbying famed Canadian coffee shop chain Tim Horton’s to rename a Vancouver location “Tim Payne’s” in honor of the now-famed defender.
Tim Horton’s, which has 48 locations in Vancouver and many near the stadium, has already embraced the World Cup, promoting a Tastes of the Globe lineup for their famous donut holes, called Timbits. In the past, they have temporarily renamed menu items for sports as well, with the Boston Cream donut often renamed when local teams face Boston teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs and MLB postseason.
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Add us as a preferred source on Google
Published Jun 1, 2026 | Modified Jun 1, 2026
Ben Steiner
BEN STEINER
Ben Steiner is an American-Canadian journalist who brings in-depth experience, having covered the North American national teams, MLS, CPL, NWSL, NSL and Liga MX for prominent outlets, including MLSsoccer.com, CBC Sports, and OneSoccer.
Follow BenSteiner00
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© 2026 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
Who Is Tim Payne? How a New Zealand Defender Became a World Cup Folk Hero
The New Zealand defender is far from the least-known player at this summer’s World Cup.
Ben Steiner
|
Jun 1, 2026
Google Discover
Add us as a preferred source
Tim Payne has more followers than every NHL team.
Tim Payne has more followers than every NHL team. | Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images, Ethan Cairns/Getty Images/FIFA
Tim Payne isn’t the best player at the World Cup. He’s not playing for a contender, and he doesn’t play for a globally famous club team. All of that is exactly why he has gained over three million followers in less than a week.
The 32-year-old New Zealand utility player is bound for this summer’s tournament as his nation returns to soccer’s greatest stage for the first time since 2010. The right back plays his club soccer for the Australian A-League’s lone New Zealand club, the Wellington Phoenix, but has become the folk hero of this summer’s tournament already.
An Argentine soccer influencer, Valen Scarsini, made a video suggesting that Payne might be the least known player at the World Cup and encouraging his followers to follow him and comment on his posts. The veteran defender quickly rose to overnight fame.
“We have to start mentioning Tim Payne everywhere … We have to make videos featuring the legend of Tim Payne. We have to get Tim Payne on everyone’s lips,” Scarsini in his initial English video, before making a similar one in Spanish.
“The goal before the World Cup is to see how many people know Tim Payne before the Cup starts. We have to build a good fanbase to cheer for him. I have faith [New Zealand] can go through.”
FREE NEWSLETTER: Sign Up to Get Informed With SI FC
Tim Payne Gets Song and More Followers than NHL, MLB teams
Since the rush of followers, Payne has become one of the most popular players in this World Cup, with many comments joking that the tournament is defined by his presence, not by Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Christian Pulisic or others.
The phrase No Payne, No Gain has gone viral alongside images of the versatile player, and a seemingly AI-generated song has accompanied many viral videos, with the Spanish lyrics comparing him to Ángel Di María and touting him as a legend that a grandfather once spoke of.
“It’s been a pretty crazy 48 hours to say the least. I just wanted to also express that I’m very grateful to be representing my country at this World Cup, and I appreciate all the love from around the world,” Payne posted to his Instagram, adding that he is not the biggest user of social media, so the explosion came as a shock. “Muchas Gracias.”
With his viral outbreak, Payne now has more followers (3.9 million at the time of writing) than the New Zealand Football Association and is more followed on the platform than any NHL team, while trailing only the LA Dodgers and New York Yankees in MLB.
As for the least-followed player at the World Cup? Among those already named to official squads, Curaçao backup goalkeeper Trevor Doornbusch has just 1,700, 11 days before his nation becomes the smallest to ever play at a World Cup.
A Tim Payne Coffee Shop?
Payne’s New Zealand has suddenly become a hot ticket. His nation will open the World Cup against Iran in Los Angeles on June 15, before playing their final two Group G games at Vancouver’s BC Place against Egypt and Belgium on June 21 and June 26.
The Vancouver crowds are expected to be rowdy, with a large Kiwi and Australian community embracing Canada’s west coast mountains as a work opportunity. Australia, meanwhile, will open the tournament against Türkiye in Vancouver on June 13.
How big could Payne’s popularity get? There seems to be no limit. Yet, there are now New Zealand supporters lobbying famed Canadian coffee shop chain Tim Horton’s to rename a Vancouver location “Tim Payne’s” in honor of the now-famed defender.
Tim Horton’s, which has 48 locations in Vancouver and many near the stadium, has already embraced the World Cup, promoting a Tastes of the Globe lineup for their famous donut holes, called Timbits. In the past, they have temporarily renamed menu items for sports as well, with the Boston Cream donut often renamed when local teams face Boston teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs and MLB postseason.
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Alphonso Davies Injury: Progress, Potential Return Date for Canada Star
Alphonso Davies
FIFA Rules on USMNT’s Bizarre Water Break Strategy for 2026 World Cup
World Cup, USMNT
Every Barcelona Player at the 2026 World Cup: Fixtures, Chances, Favorites
Lamine Yamal, Raphinha
Every Team's Championship, Group Odds for the 2026 World Cup (Spain and France Top Odds List)
Spain is set as the +420 favorite to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup
MLS Sets Historic Record Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Lionel Messi, Tim Ream, Juan Manuel Sanabria
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Published Jun 1, 2026 | Modified Jun 1, 2026
Ben Steiner
BEN STEINER
Ben Steiner is an American-Canadian journalist who brings in-depth experience, having covered the North American national teams, MLS, CPL, NWSL, NSL and Liga MX for prominent outlets, including MLSsoccer.com, CBC Sports, and OneSoccer.
Follow BenSteiner00
Home/Soccer
SI
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Takedown Policy
Terms and Conditions
SI Accessibility Statement
Sitemap
A-Z Index
FAQ
Cookies Settings
© 2026 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
2026 FIFA World Cup Winner Odds — Contenders & Predictions
Peter Fitzpatrick11 hours ago
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The world's greatest sporting spectacle is almost upon us. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, running through to July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Led by the incomparable Lionel Messi, defending champions Argentina arrive as the team every nation wants to dethrone as the beautiful game's biggest stage beckons once more.
The Sporting News brings you all the latest odds and shows you where to find the best prices. How far can Thomas Tuchel's England go? You can get 66/1 for Harry Kane to score a goal in the tournament at Ladbrokes — the captain and star striker has been boosted from 1/2!
Most UK bookmakers make the Three Lions 98% likely to reach the knockout stage at 1/66 odds. You can back England to qualify from Group L at 50/1 on Paddy Power, while bagging a £2 free bet for every group stage win along the way!
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Place a max £1 bet on “Spain to Qualify from Group H”. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets. £2 Free Bet for every Spain group stage win will be credited at least 24hrs after a winning fixture is settled. Free bets are valid 30 days, only deposits with cards, ApplePay, & Pay by Bank are eligible. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly
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England to Qualify from Group L. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets. £2 Free Bet for every England group stage win will be credited at least 24hrs after the winning fixture is settled. Free bets are valid 30 days, only deposits with cards, ApplePay, & Pay by Bank are eligible. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
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Place a max £1 bet on “France to Qualify from Group I”. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets. £2 Free Bet for every France group stage win will be credited at least 24hrs after a winning fixture is settled. Free bets are valid 30 days, only deposits with cards, ApplePay, & Pay by Bank are eligible. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.SHOW ALL OFFERS
2026 World Cup Odds: Who is the favourite?
Here are the latest betting odds for the 2026 World Cup. Chasing a fifth tournament win in the last 18 years, Spain remain the favourites to prevail in New York on 19 July — just ahead of France.Who will win FIFA World Cup 2026?
Spain top the betting at 9/2, but France look the value pick (even cut from 6/1 to 5/1) — their attacking depth is frightening. England's 7/1 clearly show genuine optimism under Tuchel but consistency remains a question mark. Brazil and Argentina coming next feels right given their quality and pedigree.Portugal at 10/1 also looks good given their recent success, Ronaldo’s insatiable desire to win the World Cup and some of their key players' involvement in PSG's Champions League win, while Germany at 14/1 are quietly dangerous.
Netherlands, Belgium and Erling Haaland's Norway are longer shots but can't be dismissed entirely. Here's the latest odds for the top 10 favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.
| Spain | 9/2 |
| France | 5/1 |
| England | 7/1 |
| Brazil | 9/1 |
| Argentina | 10/1 |
| Portugal | 10/1 |
| Germany | 14/1 |
| Netherlands | 20/1 |
| Belgium | 33/1 |
| Norway | 33/1 |
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[/th]There was a change in the top 10 favourites after Italy failed to qualify for the third World Cup in a row. The final slot is currently with Erling Haaland's Norway, jostling for position with highest ranked Asian side Japan, as well as Colombia, Morocco and hosts USA!
Who won FIFA World Cup 2022?
Argentina claimed the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating France in a breathtaking final that ended 3-3 after extra time before the Albiceleste won on penalties.Lionel Messi, finally crowned world champion, was named Player of the Tournament in what many consider the greatest World Cup final ever played.
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Deposit £10+ within 7 days and place a sports bet. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports Bet). Valid 7 days. Min odds apply. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply.MORE: Predicting Thomas Tuchel's World Cup XI
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026? Dates and schedule
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 and will run until July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.| Group Stage | June 11, 2026 | June 27, 2026 |
| Round of 32 | June 28, 2026 | July 3, 2026 |
| Round of 16 | July 4, 2026 | July 7, 2026 |
| Quarter-Finals | July 9, 2026 | July 11, 2026 |
| Semi-Finals | July 14, 2026 | July 15, 2026 |
| Third-Place Play-off | July 18, 2026 | July 18, 2026 |
| Final | July 19, 2026 | July 19, 2026 |
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