World Cup of Darts 2026 Friday afternoon Round-up | Australia dumped out by terrific Canada as Belgium offered lifeline with crucial win

After surprising defeats last night, the pressure was on fancied Belgium and 2022 champions Australia to get wins and keep their hopes of qualification to the knockout phase of the World Cup of Darts afloat.

Belgium got a win on the board with a 4-1 win over Slovenia in a commanding showing. Slovenia is back at the World Cup of Darts for the first time since 2010, led by Benjamin Pratnemer and partnered by Stefano Božiček. They took the lead with Pratnemer taking out 86 in two. From there, Belgium was in control. Van den Bergh averaged just 66 yesterday but was much better today as he pinned two doubles to move his nation ahead. De Decker almost ended it in style with a 164 but after Božiček missed a dart to keep this tie ticking on, Van den Bergh got the win they dearly needed. While it is out of their hands, they still have hope of qualifying.

Damon Heta and Adam Leek were on last against Canada in a very crucial match. After losing to the USA, they were determined to get a win on the board. However, David Cameron and Jim Long prevented this from occurring, battering them 4-1 to knock them out of the World Cup. Canada started the brighter and broke the Aussie's throw. Missed doubles afforded Heta a chance at double 16 but two darts missed allowed Canada to double their lead. Leek got Australia on the board but Canada strode clear with Cameron taking out 80 in two darts as the new-look Australian partnership cannot replicate the joys of 2022 with a group stage exit a disastrous result.

Mongolia played in their first ever World Cup of Darts and were involved in a very sluggish contest against South Africa. Devon Petersen dragged his country over the finishing line with both teams averaging in the low 60’s. Mongolia managed to get their first leg on the board before missing a number on the outer ring at the end to prolong the contest, but South Africa was always in control.

Following that, Trinidad and Tobago were also competing for the very first time. They never really showed their best stuff, and would lose 4-2 to Italy. It looked like Trinidad and Tobago would go the same way as Mongolia after a slow start saw Italy move 2-0 ahead. However, Walkin started to find the outer ring and levelled the scoreline at 2-2 with the momentum on their side. Michella Turetta starred for Italy and got them out of the whole and sealed the win on tops.

Cristo Reyes and José Justicia started well, but were drawn into a close match against Croatia, coming out as 4-3 winners. Spain did not even miss a double in their opening three legs that they won. 111 and 83 checkouts by Reyes showed them to be a real threat. Missed match darts by ‘The Spartan’ opened the door for Croatia who forced a last-leg decider. It was closely fought leg, in which Justicia was able to find double five with his last dart in hand, and extinguishes any hopes for Croatia.

There was no joy for Spain’s neighbours, Portugal, who produced a lacklustre performance as they lost 4-1 to an impressive Switzerland. Stefan Bellmont and Marcel Walpen excelled on stage as they stormed clear, with Bellmont shining with a 106 checkout. Jose de Sousa could not reproduce his former glory, busting 16 right at the end before the Swiss ended Portugal’s campaign with a whimper.

Paul Lim inspired Singapore to get a much-needed win over Gibraltar, but the 4-2 victory may not be enough to qualify with Republic of Ireland needing just two legs to top the group. It was a topsy turvey start with the advantage exchanging regularly. Then, Lim showed his class. He bailed his teammate out on tops before taking out 96 in two, moving Singapore one away. Gibraltar missed chances to force a seventh and final leg with Singapore keeping their fleeting hopes alive.

The Philippines needed to win 4-0 to keep any hope alive. They could have done so but would drop a crucial leg on the way to a 4-1 win over New Zealand. Alexis Toylo and Paolo Nebrida impressed, averaging over 98 in one of the performances of the day to blow New Zealand away. They went 3-0 ahead before missed match darts at tops allowed Ben Robb to take out 81 on the bull, ending any hope after they lost 4-0 to Germany last night. Toylo got it done with a 100 checkout in two.

Denmark opened their account with a 4-1 win against India. In truth, it should have been more comfortable for Denmark. Some doubles were missed by miles, but they were afforded to make mistakes with a lacklustre India not producing their best game. Especially the talisman Nitin Kumar who was regularly pictured blowing his hands. Only a 4-0 win would have left them any chance, and their World Cup hopes ended in the first leg. They got on the board but would fall further behind to set up a showdown against Czech Republic to top the group.

Finland was extremely wasteful on the outer ring, and paid the ultimate price. They exit the competition as Hungary get off to the perfect start with a 4-0 win. Patrik Kovács and Pál Székely were very passionate as the match went on. Székely moved them within one after a clinical 100 checkout in two before more missed darts by the Fins allowed Hungary to get over the line in fine fashion.

Lithuania managed to get a 4-2 win over Thailand, but that has massive consequences. They needed to win 4-1 or better but two match darts missed at double 16 by Darius Labanauskas saw their slim chances of topping the Welsh in the group slashed. They got it done a leg later with ‘Lucky D’ preventing a Thailand comeback.

Thibaut Tricole shone for France in a mesmeric performance alongside new teammate Nicolas Thuillier as edged China 4-3. France started very brightly with a 14-darter before almost breaking in 12. They would slip up on the outer ring which allowed China to get on the board before Tricole took out 110 on double 15. It looked like the French would cruise over the finishing line, but China fought back and forced a last-leg decider. On throw, the French stole a march and finished with a fourth match dart to set up a showdown against Austria tonight.

It is set to be a thrilling night of darts with the group stage concluding in dramatic fashion.