The 2025 World Cup of Darts is in full swing at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, Germany, bringing together 40 nations in a thrilling contest of skill, nerves, and dart-throwing precision. Running from June 12 to June 15, the tournament features a compelling mix of seasoned champions and hungry underdogs, all vying for the prestigious title and a chance to etch their names into darts history.
England enters the competition as the defending champions, with Luke Humphries teaming up with rising star Luke Littler. This fresh pairing aims to extend England’s dominance in the event, having already secured five titles in previous editions. The duo carries the weight of expectation as the tournament’s top seed, but they face stiff competition from the likes of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, who have all fielded formidable teams.
Wales, seeded second, boasts the powerful combination of Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, a pairing that has previously brought Wales World Cup glory in 2020 and 2023. Scotland’s two-time winners Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, seeded third, and Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, seeded fourth, complete the top-tier contenders, each eager to make a deep run in the knockout stages.
The group stage kicked off on Thursday, June 12, with some eye-catching results. Sweden cruised to a 4-1 win over Lithuania, while Japan edged Croatia 4-3 in a nail-biting encounter. Ireland secured a 4-2 victory against Gibraltar, and Malaysia impressed with a 4-1 win over Canada. Other notable results included Belgium’s 4-1 triumph over Latvia, Netherlands’ dominant 4-0 win against Italy, and New Zealand’s clean 4-0 sweep of Finland.
Friday’s group matches continued to deliver drama and unexpected twists. Among the most talked-about moments was the match between Chinese Taipei and India, which turned into a rollercoaster of emotions and a vivid demonstration of the pressure players face in high-stakes competition.
Chinese Taipei’s Pupo Teng-Lieh found himself at the centre of controversy after making a series of critical errors in their group stage clash against India. Leading 3-0 and on the verge of a whitewash, Teng-Lieh committed what many are calling an “almighty blunder” by going for a treble 20 instead of the required double 19 to close out the leg. This miscalculation allowed India to claw their way back into the match, much to the visible frustration of Teng-Lieh’s teammate, An-Sheng Lu, who was seen fuming at the mistake.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) captured the moment on social media, noting, “He thinks the leg is already over, and Team India capitalise to open their account. An-Sheng Lu is not a happy man.” The tension between the teammates highlighted the intense pressure and split-second decision-making that darts demands.
Despite another miscount from Teng-Lieh in the fifth leg, Chinese Taipei managed to hold their nerve and eventually secured victory with their 11th match dart, narrowly escaping what could have been a costly defeat. Fans took to social media to express their delight and amazement, with comments such as, “The best tournament on the circuit. Bar none,” and “This is just pure cinema. This is what makes these types of tournaments brilliant watches.” The World Cup of Darts continues to prove why it is one of the most beloved events in the sport’s calendar.
Aside from the drama in the Chinese Taipei versus India match, the tournament features a diverse and competitive field. The top four seeds—England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland—enjoy byes into the second round, while the remaining teams battle it out in the group stage for a chance to progress.
The groups are stacked with talent and potential upsets. For instance, Group A includes the Netherlands, represented by Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen, alongside Italy and Hungary. Group B sees Belgium’s Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh facing Latvia and the Philippines. Other groups feature a mix of established darting nations and emerging teams, adding to the unpredictable nature of the event.
Saturday, June 14, will see the second round unfold with best-of-15 legs matches, where the top seeds join the fray. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are scheduled for Sunday, June 15, also played over 15 legs, culminating in a best-of-19 legs final later that day, promising a thrilling climax to the tournament.
As the World Cup of Darts progresses, the spotlight remains firmly on the defending champions England and the perennial challengers Wales and Scotland. The fresh partnership of Humphries and Littler for England adds a new dynamic, while Wales’ Clayton and Price aim to add another title to their impressive resumes.
The tournament’s location in Frankfurt provides a vibrant backdrop, with fans from across the globe gathering to witness darts at its finest. The Eissporthalle’s atmosphere is electric, blending the tension of elite competition with the camaraderie and passion that darts uniquely inspires.
With so much talent on display and the stakes higher than ever, this year’s World Cup of Darts promises unforgettable moments, unexpected twists, and the relentless pursuit of glory. Whether it’s the precision of a perfect checkout or the drama of a miscounted leg, every match tells a story and every dart thrown could shape the course of history.
As the group stages wrap up and the knockout rounds loom, all eyes will be on the top seeds to see if they can withstand the pressure and claim the coveted trophy. Meanwhile, underdogs like Chinese Taipei and India remind us that in darts, anything can happen—sometimes in the most spectacular fashion.
