▲ New Zealand national team defender Tyler Bindon
Tyler Bindon (21, Sheffield), a defender for the New Zealand national football team competing in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, has set a unique record as the first player to participate in a World Cup following his mother, Jenny Bindon.
The Associated Press reported today (June 17) that "New Zealand's Bindon made history by becoming the first son to play in a World Cup after his mother, following his appearance as a substitute in the team's opening group stage match against Iran on June 16."
The young defender, who joined the English Premier League (EPL) club Nottingham Forest in 2025 before being immediately loaned to Sheffield United in the Championship (second division), was first called up to the New Zealand senior national team in September 2023. Since then, he has earned 26 caps and scored 2 goals.
After being named to the final roster for the North and Central America World Cup, Bindon started on the bench for the Group G opener against Iran. He stepped onto the pitch as a substitute in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, with the score tied at 2-2.
With this brief World Cup debut, Bindon became the first player to grace the World Cup stage following his mother.
While there have been many cases of fathers and sons playing in the World Cup across generations, this marks the first time a son has followed his mother to the tournament.
▲ Jenny Bindon, who played as a goalkeeper for the New Zealand national team in the 2011 Women's World Cup
Bindon's mother, Jenny Bindon (53), served as the goalkeeper for the New Zealand women's national team from 2004 to 2014. She competed in the 2007 and 2011 Women's World Cups, as well as the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.
Since retiring from her playing career, Jenny Bindon has been serving as a coach for the New Zealand women's national football team.
The Bindon family is a prominent sports family.
Tyler's father, Grant Bindon, is a former captain of the New Zealand national volleyball team.
Bindon's parents were present at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, to cheer on their son during his World Cup debut.
(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.