World Cup of Darts 2026 Friday evening Round-up | Wales and Germany cruise through, France stun Austria in miraculous comeback as Belgium advance in fortunate circumstances

For Wales and Germany, it was job done as they both topped their respected groups at the World Cup of Darts. For other nations, it was a lot more dramatic but the top nations competing in this group phase progressed.

Wales are one of the favourites to lift the title, despite the absence of Gerwyn Price. Fortunately, Jonny Clayton and Nick Kenny had no problem in the group stage, defeating Thailand 4-1. It was a very poor start with some dreadful scoring. The finishing was good enough with Thailand missing in all three legs. They could have been 3-0 ahead but instead last year’s runner-up was 2-1 up and through. They continued this sublime finishing with a 100% checkout rate right until the last leg of the match when Kenny missed Wales first darts of the tournament. They got it done and will appear on Saturday.

Germany was celebrating in front of a home crowd after the first leg. Ricardo Pietreczko passionately celebrated after pinning double five which saw him and Martin Schindler sail into the last-16 of the World Cup. They would go on to defeat New Zealand 4-2. The duo thoroughly enjoyed their time on stage, sailing into a 3-0 lead. That was seven consecutive legs won in this tournament for the hosts, but a 14-dart break allowed New Zealand to get a foothold. They doubled their tally but double eight was pinned by the German number one as they safely make their way into the round two draw.

From 2-1 ahead, it looked certain that Hong Kong could get over the line. They needed three legs to confirm their place, but after missing six darts to get over the line Slovenia proved to be the more clinical and won three legs in a row to win 4-2. This proved to be hugely significant as Man Lok Leung and Lok Yin Lee, despite being in firm control, go out with Belgium qualifying by the skin of their teeth. It was a nervy affair as Slovenia closed the deficit. The chances were not taken, and Hong Kong were brutally punished for it as Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh are given a lifeline.

A North American derby was on the cards with the winner going through. After both defeating 2022 champions Australia, it was the USA who demolished their neighbours to the north, Canada, 4-2. Stowe Buntz and Adam Sevada were levels above the Canadian pair of David Cameron and Jim Long who did not perform. A key part in the match was when Sevada took out 80 as Canada slipped up to go 3-0 ahead. Long showed his class with a 109 checkout before the gap was closed to one. A match dart was missed by Sevada with Buntz cleaning up to secure the USA a spot in the knockout stage.

It was another winner take all clash between France and Austria. From 3-0 down, France spearheaded by Thibaut Tricole stunned the Austrians in a 4-3 win. The Austrian pair were fired up as they stormed into a 2-0 lead. Nicolas Thuillier had the chance to level but painfully spurned a couple of chances. Rodriguez nailed tops to move the two-time finalists one away. A frustrated France outfit got on the board, and incredibly mounted an incredible comeback via three missed match darts by Austria. Mensur Suljovic would miss another match dart on double 18 for a 114 checkout. Tricole showed terrific composure to take out 68 in two darts to send France through.

Republic of Ireland’s William O’Connor and Mickey Mansell needed just two legs to advance into the next round. They did that in one of the matches of the tournament, defeating Gibraltar 4-2 as they show their credentials. Gibraltar got out to the lead before Ireland got level, getting one of the two legs they needed. They were both on nine-darters at one point before that fleeting dream went. O’Connor pinned double three to seal Ireland’s spot in the last-16, but Gibraltar continued to show their class. An incredible 158 checkout went as they bathed in the glory of the crowd. ‘The Magpie’ launched Ireland back ahead

Cristo Reyes was sensational with some absolutely brilliant darts to lead Spain into the knockout stage. Backed up by José Justicia, they overcame a tricky test in the form of Japan 4-1 to top the group. After falling behind, Spain ticked off four consecutive legs. The gamechanger was when Reyes took out the 135 on the bull in an incredible moment. The first doubles he missed was for the match, but fortunately his partner was there to back him up on tops to send Spain onwards and upwards.

Poland have also been touted for an outside run. A deadly combination of Krzysztof Ratajski and Sebastian Bialecki comfortably advanced with a 4-2 win over Switzerland. After a sluggish start by both players, the score was level at 202. That was when the Poles finally got down to business. They moved one away on double three before Marcel Walpen missed double 16 for a 112 checkout and to force a decider. Bialecki got the job done and sent Poland on their merry way, while Switzerland were on their way home.

Czech Republic sailed into the knockout round after thrashing Denmark 4-1. The pair of Karel Sedlacek and Adam Gawlas were supreme over these two days, dropping just one leg with some great darts. They took the lead before Denmark broke back after missed darts. Czech Republic then took control with superior scoring power, keeping the Danes at bay and topping Group H in brilliant fashion.

It was a game of holds between Norway and Hungary, showing how crucial winning the bull is in the back room as the matches go the distance. Norway’s Cor Dekker and Kent Jøran Sivertsen capitalised from this as they edged Hungary 4-3 in a remarkably tight match. It went the distance where the Norwegians stormed clear and left double 14 with Patrik Kovics only able to leave 167. Sivertsen found the target and sent his nation through.

Sweden added their names to the list of contenders after dismantling debutants Mongolia 4-1. Jeffrey de Graaf and Oskar Lukasiak were the big favourites to get through this, but a 15-dart start by Mongolia was a threat. It proved to be a one-off with Mongolia’s level dropping. While that occurred, Sweden up their game, averaging over 103 at one point. They concluded with a 96 average in a very solid display, getting the three legs they needed before sealing the win after a fourth leg on the bounce.

The other debutants took to stage right after in the form of Trinidad and Tobago. They threatened Madars Razma’s Latvia and even secured a historic 4-3 win. However, Latvia got the three legs needed to qualify. Trinidad and Tobago took the lead twice before Lativa responded. Joshua Balfour would narrowly miss two doubles to go 3-2 ahead and really pile the pressure on. Valters Melderis kept his cool and pinned double two to send Latvia through. The match still had to be win with Balfour forcing a final leg decider. James Walklin got it done on tops as the pair celebrated a jubilant win as Latvia advanced.