New Zealand created a World Cup first with the first mother-son duo to play at the tournament, after Tyler Bindon’s late introduction helped in their 2-2 draw with Iran. Tyler’s mother, Jenny Bindon, has represented New Zealand across multiple Women’s World Cu
The moment didn’t arrive with a goal.
It arrived in injury time, when New Zealand coach turned to 21-year-old defender Tyler Bindon. His introduction helped steady the back line as New Zealand fought out a 2-2 draw with Iran earlier this week — and with it. the World Cup delivered something it had never seen before: the first mother-son duo to play at the tournament.
Tyler Bindon is the son of Jenny Bindon, who has represented New Zealand at both the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cups, and at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012. Jenny made her international debut in 2004 and went on to earn 77 caps over the following decade.
For Tyler, the significance landed immediately after the final whistle. “A special day for many reasons,” he wrote on Instagram after the 2-2 draw with Iran. “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.”.
That family story stretches further than football alone. Tyler’s father, Grant Bindon, was a captain of New Zealand’s men’s volleyball team.
Bindon’s own path to this stage has been shaped by movement. development systems. and years of chasing the next step. He was born in Auckland. but moved to California at the age of 12 when his mother accepted a coaching role with the women’s football team at the University of California. Los Angeles (UCLA). He came through the academy system at MLS side Los Angeles FC before joining Reading in 2023 and then Nottingham Forest in 2025. He spent last season on loan at Championship side Sheffield United.
Tyler and Jenny Bindon are the first mother-son duo in World Cup history. Fathers and sons have played in the tournament before, but through different family pairings. Giovanni Reyna scored in the United States’ 4-1 win against Paraguay on Saturday. and Reyna is the son of former American midfielder Claudio Reyna. Erling Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, represented Norway at the 1994 World Cup.
The emotion of the Bindons’ milestone is hard to separate from the practical reality of group-stage football. New Zealand’s next test is already scheduled: they face Egypt in Vancouver on 22 June, with kick-off set for 02:00 BST, as they prepare for their second group game.
World Cup 2026 New Zealand Iran Tyler Bindon Jenny Bindon mother-son duo Vancouver Egypt Grant Bindon Los Angeles FC Reading Nottingham Forest Sheffield United