2026 World Cup of Darts group stages draw confirmed

The road to World Cup glory begins next week as 40 nations descend on Frankfurt for the 2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts, with Wales, Germany and Australia among the headline acts on the tournament’s opening night.

Held at the iconic Eissporthalle Frankfurt from June 11-14, the World Cup remains one of the sport’s most unique and unpredictable events, with players competing exclusively in pairs representing their nations.

A total of 40 countries will battle it out for one of the most prestigious titles in international darts, with reigning champions Northern Ireland aiming to defend the crown they captured in dramatic fashion 12 months ago.

The tournament format once again sees the top four nations seeded directly through to the last 16, determined by the combined PDC Order of Merit rankings of each nation’s two representatives.

As a result, top seeds England, four-time champions Netherlands, defending champions Northern Ireland and two-time winners Scotland will all bypass the group stage and begin their campaigns on Saturday.

The remaining 36 nations have been divided into 12 round-robin groups of three teams, with only the group winners progressing to the knockout stages.

One of the most intriguing groups features two-time champions Wales, who begin life in Group C with a fresh partnership.

Former Premier League champion Jonny Clayton will be joined by World Cup debutant Nick Kenny as Wales chase a third title. They will face Lithuania and Thailand in their bid to reach the knockout rounds.

Host nation Germany will once again carry the hopes of the home crowd. German number one Martin Schindler reunites with Ricardo Pietreczko following their impressive run to the semi-finals last year.

The German duo headline Group G, where they will take on both the Philippines and New Zealand in front of an expected passionate Frankfurt audience.

Australia also enter the tournament with high ambitions. Former champions Damon Heta and debutant Adam Leek will represent the Oceanic nation in Group A, where they face North American opposition in the shape of the United States and Canada.

Group B promises to be one of the most competitive sections, featuring Belgian stars Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh.

Belgium will battle both Hong Kong, last year’s quarter-finalists, and a returning Slovenia side making its first World Cup appearance since 2010.

Elsewhere, the Republic of Ireland begin their latest title challenge in Group D. Veteran duo William O’Connor and Mickey Mansell will join forces for the first time, taking on Singapore and World Cup newcomers Uganda.

Singapore’s challenge will once again be led by legendary darts figure Paul Lim, who at 72 years old continues to compete on the international stage.

Poland will look to emerge from Group E thanks to the partnership of Krzysztof Ratajski and rising star Sebastian Bialecki. Their path includes clashes against Portugal and Switzerland, with former Grand Slam champion Jose de Sousa returning to World Cup action for Portugal.

Group F sees Sweden, South Africa and tournament debutants Mongolia compete for qualification, while Group H features Czechia, India and Denmark in what could prove one of the most evenly matched sections.

Austria, runners-up on two previous occasions, begin their campaign in Group I. Veteran captain Mensur Suljovic leads the Austrian challenge against China and France, who reached the quarter-finals in 2023.

Group J contains Latvia, Italy and World Cup newcomers Trinidad and Tobago, while Group K features Croatia, Spain and Japan — two nations with previous World Cup semi-final appearances to their names.

The final group sees Finland, Norway and Hungary competing for a place in the knockout stages, with Finland hoping to emulate the run that took them to the semi-finals in 2013.

The opening two days will follow the familiar round-robin format. Nations defeated in Thursday’s opening matches will face the third team in their group during Friday afternoon’s session, before the decisive group matches take place on Friday evening.

Once the group phase concludes, the draw for the last 16 will be conducted on Friday night.

Awaiting the 12 group winners will be the tournament’s four seeded giants.

Five-time champions England will once again field the formidable partnership of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, as the world’s top two players attempt to reclaim the title.

The Netherlands will feature a fresh-look pairing, with reigning European Champion Gian van Veen teaming up alongside three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen.

Reigning champions Northern Ireland return with the proven partnership of Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, who will be aiming to secure back-to-back World Cup titles.

Scotland complete the seeded quartet, with two-time champion Gary Anderson joined by World Cup debutant Cameron Menzies as they pursue a third title.

The last 16 will be played across two sessions on Saturday, before the tournament reaches its climax on Sunday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final all taking place during a blockbuster Finals Day in Frankfurt.

2026 World Cup of Darts group stages draw confirmed 

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

Uganda

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

2026 World Cup of Darts group stages draw confirmed 

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

Group A Outright Odds

Germany – 2/7

Philippines – 9/2

New Zealand – 11/2

Group B Outright Odds

Belgium – 1/4

Hong Kong – 4/1

Slovenia – 9/1

Group C Outright Odds

Wales – 1/4

Lithuania – 4/1

Thailand – 9/1

Group D Outright Odds

Ireland – 1/6

Singapore – 9/2

Uganda – 14/1

Group E Outright Odds

Poland – 4/11

Portugal – 4/1

Switzerland – 5/1

Group F Outright Odds

Sweden – 4/9

South Africa – 11/5

Mongolia – 10/1

Group G Outright Odds

Australia – 6/5

Canada – 13/8

USA – 11/4

Group H Outright Odds

Czechia – 4/9

Denmark – 10/3

India – 9/2

Group I Outright Odds

Austria – 10/11

France – 11/8

China – 5/1

Group J Outright Odds

Latvia – 4/7

Italy – 6/4

Trinidad & Tobago – 12/1

Group K – Outright Odds

Croatia – 11/8

Spain – 15/8

Japan – 2/1

Group L Outright Odds

Norway – 5/4

Finland – 15/8

Hungary – 9/4