While more than two dozen father-son duos have appeared at the FIFA World Cup, the Bindons are the first mother-son pairing to achieve the feat. | Photo Credit: AP

When Tyler Bindon came off the bench for New Zealand in its FIFA World Cup opener against Iran, he and his mother, Jenny, made a slice of football history.

Jenny and Tyler became the first mother and son to have both played at the World Cup.

A goalkeeper for New Zealand between 2004 and 2014, Jenny represented the Football Ferns at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2007 and 2011, and also competed at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012.

Tyler, 21, is a centre back who plays for Premier League club Nottingham Forest. He came on as a late substitute in New Zealand’s 2-2 draw with Iran on Monday, with both his parents watching from the stands in Inglewood, California.

Athletic pedigree runs in the family. Tyler’s father, Grant, captained New Zealand’s national volleyball team.

When Tyler was 12, the Bindon family moved to California after Jenny was appointed an assistant coach of UCLA’s women’s football team. Tyler later developed through the Los Angeles FC academy system.

“I find watching him play even more challenging than playing myself,” Jenny wrote on social media last year. “I get more nervous, but he is an absolute joy, an amazing human being.”

The All Whites next face Egypt on Sunday in Vancouver, British Columbia. Egypt opened its campaign with a 1-1 draw against Belgium on Monday.

While more than two dozen father-son duos have appeared at the FIFA World Cup, the Bindons are the first mother-son pairing to achieve the feat. Among the father-son combinations are Claudio Reyna and his son Gio Reyna, who scored in the United States’ win over Paraguay on Friday. Norway striker Erling Haaland is the son of former World Cup player Alf-Inge Haaland, who represented his country at the 1994 tournament.

Published on Jun 17, 2026