World Cup of Darts 2023 | Day One Preview and Order of Play

Reigning champions Australia launch their PDC World Cup of Darts title defence when they face debutants Guyana in Frankfurt on Thursday.

The biggest edition of the popular team event commences at Eissporthalle where 40 teams – 24 of whom feature on day one – will compete over four days for the crown.

Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta lifted the trophy here 12 months ago, as Australia joined the roll of honour following a 3-1 victory over the Welsh pair of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton in the final.

For the fourth year running, Whitlock and Heta will fly the flag for the Aussies starting against Guyana – one of four debutants in this year’s tournament – after Sudesh Fitzgerald and Norman Madhoo guided their nation through last month’s Latin American qualifiers.

Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts are representing 2013 finalists Belgium for a sixth successive year. They begin against Finland, who reached the last four a decade ago, while hosts Germany – led by Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler – start their latest quest for a maiden title against Hong Kong.

Northern Ireland is comprised of Brendan Dolan and Daryl Gurney for an eight straight year. The eighth seeds face France – back in the event for the first time since 2014 – as Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski goes head to head with Jose de Sousa’s Portugal.

Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriguez line up for 2021 runners-up Austria, who play Denmark, with 2019 finalists Ireland – featuring William O’Connor and Keane Barry – take on Thailand.

Czech Republic are seeking their first World Cup win in nine attempts when they go up against the Singapore duo of Paul Lim and Harith Lim, while Latvia and Switzerland play New Zealand and Italy respectively.

For a fourth straight year, Matt Campbell and Jeff Smith represent Canada, who face India, as Spain lock horns with Devon Peterson’s South Africa.

Play gets underway at 6pm BST on Thursday with all matches contested in a pairs format over the best of seven legs at Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.

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World Cup of Darts 2023 Schedule of Play

Thursday, June 15

Group Stage – First Matches (Team 1 v Team 2 from each group)

6pm-11pm
Switzerland v Italy (Group L)
Poland v Portugal (Group G)
Czech Republic v Singapore (Group I)
Spain v South Africa (Group J)
Republic of Ireland v Thailand (Group E)
Northern Ireland v France (Group D)
Belgium v Finland (Group A)
Canada v India (Group H)
Austria v Denmark (Group F)
Germany v Hong Kong (Group B)
Australia v Guyana (Group C)
Latvia v New Zealand (Group K)