A historic debut
The 2026 World Cup has already been marked by a unique family story: for the first time, a son and mother will appear on the same tournament roster, with Tyler Bindon joining his mother Jenny on the field.
Jenny Bindon, a former New Zealand goalkeeper who featured at the 2007 Women’s World Cup, grew up in a household where sport was a daily conversation. Her husband Grant, a former volleyball player, encouraged their son to try many games before he settled on football.
Born in Auckland in 2005, Tyler spent his early years juggling cricket, basketball and rugby before discovering a passion for the beautiful game. At twelve he entered the LAFC youth academy and remained there for six formative years, honing his skills in Southern California.
After leaving LAFC, Tyler moved to England, signing for Reading’s under‑21 side in 2023 before breaking into the senior squad. A year later he transferred to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and spent the most recent season with Sheffield United in the Championship, where he continued to develop under experienced coaches.
His World Cup debut came at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, a venue chosen for its large diaspora audience. Surrounded by fifty‑three friends, family members and former coaches, Tyler felt the weight of expectation but also the warmth of a supportive crowd.
Jenny and Grant have tried to keep a modest distance during the tournament, hoping to avoid adding pressure to their son. Jenny has repeatedly told Tyler to savor the moment, to let the experience unfold without overthinking.
When Tyler was substituted in, Jenny’s reaction was visceral; she burst into tears, a mixture of pride and the memory of her own nerves on the world stage years earlier.