World Cup of Darts 2026 | Day One Preview and Order of Play
Wales begin their quest for a third World Cup of Darts title on Thursday, with Jonny Clayton joined by debutant Nick Kenny in Frankfurt.
Clayton was part of the side that triumphed in 2020 and 2023 alongside Gerwyn Price, while they were also beaten finalists in 2022 and 2025.
However, the Ferret will have a new team-mate at the Eissporthalle this year, after Price made himself unavailable for selection.
He is joined by world number 63 Kenny, with the pair’s first match of their three-team group against Lithuania, led by Darius Labanauskas.
Australia are the other former champions in first-round action, though they are without Simon Whitlock this year for the first time.
Damon Heta is partnered by Adam Leek for the 2022 winners, who start out against two-time quarter-finalists USA.
After reaching the semi-finals 12 months ago, Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko lead Germany’s charge once again, with the host nation facing the Philippines on the opening night.
Former runners-up Belgium – consisting of Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh – play last year’s quarter-finalists Hong Kong, while Mensur Suljovic’s Austria lock horns with China.
Ex-Northern Ireland player Mickey Mansell is representing the Republic of Ireland for the first time. He and William O’Connor take on Paul Lim’s Singapore, while Krzysztof Ratajski’s Poland do battle with Jose de Sousa’s Portugal.
Sweden and South Africa – both two-time quarter-finalists – go head to head, whilst another in Croatia takes on 2019 semi-finalists Japan.
The long-standing Czechia pairing of Karel Sedlacek and Adam Gawlas, who reached the last eight in 2025, play an India side seeking their first ever victory at the World Cup.
Finland, 2013 semi-finalists, face off with Norway, while Madars Razma’s Latvia lock horns with 2024 quarter-finalists Italy.
Play gets under way at 6pm BST on Thursday, with all matches will be contested in a pairs format over the best of seven legs.
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World Cup of Darts 2026 Schedule of Play
All times BST (local time +1 hour)
Thursday June 11
Group Stage
6pm-10pm
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)
