Public figure in current events
New Zealand defender Tim Payne has seen his social-media following explode after influencer Valen Scarsini highlighted him as the World Cup’s least-known player. Payne has embraced the momentum as New Zealand prepares for Group G play starting June 15, with Belgium, Iran and Egypt also in the group.
Belgium has shifted its World Cup approach under coach Rudi Garcia, emphasising defence amid an attack-led setup as Doku and Lukaku headline a transformed squad. Iran faces geopolitical scrutiny and a grind-it-out approach as it eyes progress from a tough group.
Iran has drawn 2-2 with New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium as more than 70,000 fans produced a politically charged atmosphere. Iran twice recovered from behind — goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi — while protests and rival flags, including the pre-1979 lion-and-sun banner, created tensions outside and inside the ground.
Iran fights back to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in Los Angeles as Iranian diaspora tensions shadow the World Cup match; fans split between pro-government chants and anti-regime protests, while the team navigates political frictions off the pitch.