The 2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts begins on Thursday with former champions Wales preparing to blood a new pairing, the in form Jonny Clayton will lead newcomer Nick Kenny, against Lithuania and host nation Germany kicking off their campaign against the Philippines as Schindler and Pietreczko reunite after reaching the semi-finals last year.
Several nations outside the top four seeds will fancy there chances of going deep or even upsetting the odds to lift the trophy. There are pairs of major winners, nations with multiple previous wins and a host nations that has huge and vociferous support. Ca any of them go all the way?
Belgium’s pairing of Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh will also make their second consecutive appearance together, pitted against Hong Kong and Slovenia – the latter of which are making their first appearance since 2010. Neither Belgian representative is in great form although Dimitri has shown a few green shoots recently. It’s a big ask with the driving force of Kim Huybrechts.
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Despite finishing as runners-up last year, Wales will enter this year’s competition in the group stage, as the nation ranks outside the top four seeds for the first time since 2018.
Jonny Clayton will make his ninth consecutive World Cup showing alongside debutant Nick Kenny, as Wales go head-to-head with Lithuania and Thailand in Group C. Despite the seeding drop and the obvious experience gap it should be remembered that Peter Wright once led Scotland to sensational triumph when partnered with the lower ranked John Henderson rather than Gary Anderson. Could a rampant Clayton do the same this time?
Republic of Ireland’s William O’Connor and Mickey Mansell are another side with a new pairing as Mansell switches from previously representing Northern Ireland and joins at the expense of Keane Barry. They begin their bid for a first World Cup against Singapore and Gibraltar, who have replaced Uganda due to visa issues.
Poland, Portugal and Switzerland make up Group E, while Sweden are joined by South Africa and debutants Mongolia.
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Australia – featuring Damon Heta and Adam Leek and without Simon Whitlock for the first time in the competition’s history – will locks horns with USA and Canada in a tricky group, while Czechia, India and Denmark make up Group H.
Austria, China and France will do battle in Group I, as Latvia will take on Italy and Trinidad & Tobago – making their debut in the World Cup of Darts.
Represented by Joshua Balfour and James Walklin, the Trinidad and Tobago team are relishing their opportunity on the global darts stage.
“I’ve had so many messages from friends, family and co-workers,” said Balfour, speaking to Weekly Dartscast.
“It gives you goosebumps when you realise the impact this has on people and our nation.
“I still haven’t come to the full realisation of what we have achieved.
“Hopefully the future is bright and we can encourage more people in Trinidad and Tobago to take the sport up.”
Croatia, Japan, Spain, Finland, Norway and Hungary round out the teams in the group stage, which will take place on Thursday evening and in a bumper double-session on Friday.
The losing nations from Thursday’s opening games will play the third team from each group in Friday’s afternoon session, before the crucial final group games are played on Friday evening.
Following the conclusion of the group stage, the draw for the last 16 will take place on Friday evening, as seeded nations England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland enter the fray in round two on Saturday.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will then take place across Sunday afternoon and evening, with the schedule of play for the remainder of the tournament to be confirmed in due course.
The 2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts will be broadcast on Sky Sports for viewers in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC’s international broadcast partners, including DAZN, Viaplay and VTM, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers.
2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts
Seeded to Round Two
(1) England
(2) Netherlands
(3) Northern Ireland
(4) Scotland
Group Stage Draw
Group A
(5) Germany
Philippines
New Zealand
Group B
(6) Belgium
Hong Kong
Slovenia
Group C
(7) Wales
Lithuania
Thailand
Group D
(8) Ireland
Singapore
Gibraltar
Group E
(9) Poland
Portugal
Switzerland
Group F
(10) Sweden
South Africa
Mongolia
Group G
(11) Australia
USA
Canada
Group H
(12) Czechia
India
Denmark
Group I
(13) Austria
China
France
Group J
(14) Latvia
Italy
Trinidad & Tobago
Group K
(15) Croatia
Japan
Spain
Group L
(16) Finland
Norway
Hungary
Group Stage Schedule
Thursday June 11 (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Seeded Nation v Team 2
Czechia v India (H)
Croatia v Japan (K)
Finland v Norway (L)
Ireland v Singapore (D)
Poland v Portugal (E)
Sweden v South Africa (F)
Latvia v Italy (J)
Belgium v Hong Kong (B)
Germany v Philippines (A)
Wales v Lithuania (C)
Austria v China (I)
Australia v USA (G)
Friday June 12
Afternoon Session (1200 local time, 1100 BST)
Thursday’s losing nation v Team 3
Same Group Order
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Thursday’s winning nation v Team 3
Same Group Order
Saturday June 13
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Round Two x4
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Round Two x4
Sunday June 14
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Semi-Finals & Final
——ENDS——
Images: Jenny Segers / PDC Europe
