World Cup 2026 special
Tim Payne & New Zealand trivia
Learn about Tim Payne — Wellington Phoenix defender, All Whites number 2 and one of the most talked-about players ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 — then test yourself in a custom 10-question quiz.
This page is about Tim Payne the New Zealand footballer. Do not confuse him with Australian cricketer Tim Paine (different spelling, different sport).
Why Tim Payne went viral
Argentine creator Valen Scarsini (El Scarso) campaigned to make a little-known World Cup player famous. Fans adopted the slogan "No Payne, No Gain" and Payne's social following surged from a few thousand to millions as the All Whites prepared for their first World Cup since 2010.
Quick facts
- Position
- Defender (centre-back / right-sided)
- Club
- Wellington Phoenix (A-League)
- World Cup 2026 group
- Group G — Iran, Belgium, Egypt
- Shirt number
- 2 for New Zealand
- International caps
- 50+ for the All Whites
- Grew up in
- Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand have never won a men's World Cup match. Their best run remains reaching the group stage in 1982 and 2010.
Play the special quiz
Ten original multiple-choice questions about Tim Payne and New Zealand at World Cup 2026. Timed rounds with explanations after each answer.
Start Tim Payne quizSample questions
These examples show the style of our Tim Payne round. Answers are not listed here — play the quiz to see options and scoring.
Football
Which national team does Tim Payne play for?
Payne is a defender for New Zealand, nicknamed the All Whites — not to be confused with Australian cricketer Tim Paine.
Football
Which club does Tim Payne play for?
He has spent most of his professional career at Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.
Football
Which group is New Zealand in at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The All Whites share Group G with Iran, Belgium and Egypt.
Keep exploring
Read the full New Zealand country guide, check Group G fixtures or return to the main Pre-World Cup hub.