It began as a substitution, the Kiwis were playing their first group game against Iran. Tyler Bindon came in for Marko Stamenic as they tried to close the match in a draw. But the substitution became a historic moment.
When Tyler stepped onto the field it meant for the first time, a mother and a son had both played at the World Cup. Jenny Bindon, a goalkeeper, represented New Zealand in the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cups, as well as the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012. She made her debut in 2004 and has earned 77 caps for them.
Jenny was born in Illinois, but moved to New Zealand after meeting Grant Bindon, who was the captain of the New Zealand men’s Volleyball team. Tyler was born in Auckland, in 2005. It comes as no secret that because of his parents’ profession, he grew up playing almost every sport that is there. When Tyler was 12, Jenny accepted a job offer as a coach at UCLA, and Tyler joined the LAFC Youth System. Hence, it was incredibly fitting that he made his debut at SoFi Stadium.
Speaking to The Athletic, Jenny said, “It’s a funny one because [before this World Cup] I said to people, ‘I think this is happening. I was trying to think ‘OK, who had kids when I was playing?’ But I couldn’t think of anyone, so I was like…this might actually be a thing. So [when we found out] it was really cool, and we’re pretty stoked.”
“Just seeing him on the pitch, with all those people in that beautiful stadium, you’re just like…’What is happening?’ It’s a pinch-me moment.”
Tyler was barely three when she was playing the 2007 World Cup. He might have been too young to remember anything, but it won’t be too far off to say he absorbed all the knowledge that was around him. “At three months old, he was at training, and he grew up listening to John Herdman [who was New Zealand Women’s coach during that World Cup].
“He grew up playing with [Orlando Pride forward] Simone Jackson, and players like Ashley Sanchez and Hailie Mace. That was just normal for him. He just wants to play football with people that are good at playing football: he doesn’t care about race or gender or anything. If you can kick a ball, he’s there.”
In 2023, when both parents travelled to England due to work, Tyler tried to find a league. Around 2 months later, he had a deal with Reading, who were at the time playing in the English third tier, initially for their Under-21s team. In January 2025, he joined Nottingham Forest, returning to Reading on loan, and then spending time at Sheffield United. Tyler debuted for New Zealand in October 2023 and played in the Olympic team in 2024, helping them qualify for the ‘26 World Cup.
When asked if Jenny gave any advice to Tyler, she stated, “I think the only advice we gave him was just ‘Make sure you enjoy it, don’t let moments pass you by. Grant and I watched Tyler walk out onto the pitch: yes, it’s the biggest event in the world, but it’s similar to parents watching their kids perform in the theatre.
“It’s just how you let them have their moment: you’re trying not to put any pressure on him, it’s his life, and we just want to be a part of it and just be there. I think as parents sometimes we live vicariously through our children, but it’s more of a case of how you have to walk next to them, and not in front, or behind.”
For Jenny, it was more nerve-wracking to watch her son play, “That’s so easy to answer: it’s watching Tyler. I think when you’re a player you’re just immersed in what’s happening and you’re blocking the nerves out, because it’s your job to go out there and perform.
“I was just trying to slow down and take it all in, but just knowing like he was getting this opportunity was just unbelievable. I think I always had this heaviness — a good heaviness, but at any moment I was about ready to burst into tears. So when he did come on…I did burst into tears.”
