Tyler Bindon and mother Jenny make history as first mother-son duo at a World Cup

Nottingham Forest centre-back Tyler Bindon and his mother Jenny have become the first mother-and-son pair to both play at a FIFA World Cup, after the 21-year-old came off the bench for New Zealand in a 2-2 draw with Iran on Monday in Inglewood, California.

Jenny Bindon was a goalkeeper for New Zealand between 2004 and 2014, appearing at the Women’s World Cup in 2007 and 2011 and the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012. She watched her son’s debut from the stands alongside his father, Grant, who captained New Zealand’s volleyball team.

“World Cup debut. A special day for many reasons,” Tyler 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.”

Tyler is a product of the Los Angeles FC academy system. The family relocated to California when he was 12 after Jenny was appointed assistant coach of UCLA’s women’s team — a move that shaped his footballing ambitions.

“Seeing me on the field at World Cups and Olympics during his childhood made being a professional footballer tangible for Tyler — something he could touch, feel and aspire to be a part of,” Jenny told NZ Football. “He was always there, a constant part of that experience. I find watching him play even more challenging than playing myself. I get more nervous, but he is an absolute joy, an amazing human being.”

More than 20 father-and-son pairs have previously appeared at the World Cup, among them Claudio and Gio Reyna of the United States, and Alf-Inge and Erling Haaland of Norway. Erling scored twice on his World Cup debut, while Gio Reyna found the net in the United States’ win over Paraguay on Friday.

New Zealand next face Egypt on Sunday in Vancouver, British Columbia. Egypt drew 1-1 with Belgium in their opening match.