Former Champions and 2O25 runners-up Wales produced an solid display at the BetVictor World Cup of Darts, as another formerly victorious nation, Australia, tasted defeat victory in Frankfurt on Thursday.
The group stage of the 40-nation event saw the opening 12 matches take place at the Eissporthalle, with Republic of Ireland, Austria and Poland among the other high-profile winners.
Jonny Clayton produced a finishing masterclass in Wales’ 4-1 thumping of Lithuania, as he and Nick Kenny landed all four of their attempts at a double. Clayton followed up a 146 checkout in leg four with a double-double 100 finish to seal the deal, as Wales opened their bid for a third World Cup of Darts crown in style.
Meanwhile, Australia – the only other former champions in opening night action – suffered a deciding-leg defeat against American duo Adam Sevada and Stowe Buntz, as 2022 winner Damon Heta succumbed alongside newcomer Adam Leek in Group G.
Mensur Suljovic – one of two ever-presents in this year’s field – steered two-time runners-up Austria to a winning start in Group I, as Suljovic and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez averaged 97 in a 4-1 win against China.
The losing nations from Thursday’s opening games will play the third team from each group on Friday afternoon, before the decisive final group games are contested in a bumper evening session.Following the conclusion of the group stage, the draw for the last 16 will take place on Friday evening, as the top four seeds England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland enter the fray in round two on Saturday.
2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts
Group Stage
Thursday June 11
Seeded Nation v Team 2
Czechia 4-0 India (H)
Japan 4-3 Croatia (K)
Norway 4-3 Finland (L)
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Singapore (D)
Poland 4-1 Portugal (E)
Sweden 4-2 South Africa (F)
Latvia 4-2 Italy (J)
Hong Kong 4-2 Belgium (B)
Germany 4-0 Philippines (A)
Wales 4-1 Lithuania (C)
Austria 4-1 China (I)
USA 4-3 Australia (G)
Images: Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC and Jenny Segers/PDC
