New Zealand may have missed out on a landmark first World Cup victory in their 2-2 draw with Iran, but the All Whites still celebrated a historic moment that will be remembered long after the final whistle.
Defender Tyler Bindon became part of World Cup history when he came off the bench in stoppage time, creating the tournament’s first-ever mother-son playing partnership.
The 21-year-old entered the match to help New Zealand protect their point, but his appearance carried extra significance. His mother, Jenny Bindon, represented New Zealand at the Women’s World Cup in both 2007 and 2011 and also competed at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012.
Jenny, a goalkeeper, made her international debut in 2004 and went on to earn 77 caps during a distinguished decade-long career with the Football Ferns.
Following the match, Tyler reflected on the achievement in a social media post, describing it as a special moment for both him and his family.
The football connection runs even deeper in the Bindon household. Tyler’s father, Grant Bindon, captained New Zealand’s men’s national volleyball team, making elite-level sport a family tradition.
Born in Auckland, Tyler relocated to California at the age of 12 after his mother accepted a coaching position with the women’s football programme at UCLA. He later developed through the academy system of MLS club Los Angeles FC before moving to English side Reading in 2023.
His progress earned a transfer to Nottingham Forest in 2025, and he spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Championship club Sheffield United.
While fathers and sons have appeared at World Cups before, mother-son combinations had never previously been represented on football’s biggest stage. Recent examples of football families include United States midfielder Giovanni Reyna, whose father Claudio Reyna played in multiple World Cups, and Norway striker Erling Haaland, whose father Alf-Inge Haaland featured at the 1994 tournament.
New Zealand will continue their World Cup campaign against Egypt in Vancouver on 22 June as they look to build on their encouraging opening result.