When Tyler Bindon stepped onto the pitch in second-half injury time against Iran, he didn’t just shore up New Zealand’s back-line. The 21-year-old Nottingham Forest defender made World Cup history, becoming part of the first ever mother-son duo to play at the tournament.
Tyler’s mother, Jenny Bindon, represented New Zealand at the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cups, as well as the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012. The goalkeeper made her international debut in 2004 and earned 77 caps over the following decade.
“Tyler and Jenny Bindon become first mother-son duo to play at a World Cup.”
The All Whites drew 2-2 with Iran, still without a first World Cup win, but the moment was not lost on Tyler. “A special day for many reasons,” he wrote on Instagram. “Proud to represent New Zealand on the biggest stage and incredibly grateful to share the moment with my mum as the first mother-son duo to play at a World Cup.”
Jenny Bindon’s football journey took the family across the world. Tyler was born in Auckland but moved to California aged 12 when his mother accepted a coaching role with the women’s football team at UCLA. He came through the academy at LAFC before joining Reading in 2023 and then Forest in 2025. Last season he spent on loan at Championship side Sheffield United.
While Tyler and Jenny are a first, father-son duos have graced the World Cup before. Giovanni Reyna, who scored for the US in a 4-1 win against Paraguay on Saturday, is the son of former midfielder Claudio Reyna. Erling Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, played for Norway at the 1994 World Cup.
New Zealand’s next test is against Egypt in Vancouver on 22 June (02:00 BST). Tyler Bindon will hope to add to his single cap – and to his family’s unique place in football history.