The World Cup hasn’t even kicked off yet, but social media has already found its unlikely heroes – and it turns out one viral sensation named Tim Payne wasn’t enough…enter Kai Trewin!
Tim Payne: The Original
Argentine content creator Valen Scarsini – known as “El Scarso” – kicked it all off. He crowned New Zealand defender Tim Payne the least-known player at the 2026 World Cup and invited fans to follow him. The response was staggering. Payne’s Instagram jumped from around 5,000 followers to over 4.5 million in days. Viral songs, memes, and a wave of Spanish-speaking fans followed.
Enter Kai Trewin
Spanish football creator RubikayTV then challenged the premise. He argued the real unknown was Australian defender Kai Trewin – the 25-year-old who plays for New York City FC, having come through Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar’s systems. Trewin had just 3,000 Instagram followers at the time – even fewer than Payne when his campaign began.
A World Cup Rivalry Is Born
RubikayTV framed it as a rivalry: “If Tim Payne is Messi, why not make Trewin the Cristiano Ronaldo of the World Cup?” he asked. Both players come from Oceania. Neither nation starts among the favourites. Fans loved it: Trewin hit 81,000 followers within hours, and as of Wednesday morning (AEST), is at 100,000.
Whether he can match Payne’s millions remains to be seen. But the tournament hasn’t even started, and Kai Trewin is already a story worth following.
Kai Trewin in action at his former club, Melbourne City
