PREVIEW World Cup of Darts – Scotland: Anderson takes on new partner, but can he prevent Menzies from threat of implosion?

As the World Cup of Darts 2026 is set to get underway, 40 different nations make the trip to Frankfurt for one of the most unique darts tournaments on offer. Players will take pride in representing their country and look to seal glory on the big stage.

Scotland are one of the favourites to do this, but question marks have been shrouded around a new lineup. Gary Anderson is back for a fourth year in a row and will lead his country on the oche. Following him is the talented yet unpredictable Cameron Menzies who comes in for Peter Wright. After not even getting a leg on the board last year, the Scots expect much better as Anderson and Menzies wait for their turn to shine.

Scotland has always been a forced to be reckoned with on the big stage. Anderson has been a regular in the team since the tournament first formed back in 2010, albeit he has not chosen to play in all of them. Wright has stepped up to the bill on numerous occasions, with the two-time world champions claiming their first World Cup crown in 2019.

They had finished runner-up in 2015 and 2018 before finally tasting triumph on the big stage for their country. Their next one would be a hugely emotional one for the very popular John Henderson, stepping in the shoes of Anderson as he helped Wright get over the line for a famous and popular win back in 2021.

The dream team of Wright and Anderson got back together in 2023, losing another final before culminating in the semi-final stage in 2024. 2025 proved to be a damaging campaign. A struggling ‘Snakebite’ hampered the team and Scotland would disappoint with a very early defeat to the hands of the Netherlands in the second round, losing 8-0.

A reliable figure to lead the team, it will be a 12th World Cup of Darts campaign for ‘The Flying Scotsman’ whose form has been hit and miss in recent times.

The quality is undoubtable. He proved that in mesmerising fashion after reaching the semi-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship, only defeated by a brilliant Gian van Veen who was pushed all the way.

That is the compete opposite when van Veen, partnered with Noppert, ticked off eight consecutive legs to dump out an underwhelming Scottish outfit last year. "Before tonight I had never beaten Peter or Gary. They are two legends of the game, so to do the double and beat them both is amazing,” the world number three stated afterwards.

While his form this year has not been the best, this is still Gary Anderson we are talking about. He could pluck out a 110 average out of thin air with some brilliant darts. He focuses his time mostly on the major events these days and will be very hopeful in showing off his best darts in Frankfurt.

Anderson to be at his best is all the more important with a new teammate. An abject Wright has been bumped out of contention by an improving Menzies who will make his debut in the tournament.

It is an honour and privilege for Menzies to be making this huge step into unchartered waters. "I’m already a bit nervous,” he said on the European Tour. “I feel sorry for Gary… I’m basically his bag handler according to my mates. But I’m looking forward to it. It might only happen once, so I want to enjoy it. There’s not many Scots who’ve done it, it’s a very exclusive thing. I just want to be in the best possible shape."

Nerves will be an obvious feeling for any dart player representing their country for the first time, let alone someone like Menzies. After all the ups and downs have been highlighted and regularly dug up, there is still a whole load of improvement and positive signs from the Scot.

Of course, his attitude and mentality on stage will be a big vocal point, but if he lets his darts do the talking then he should be fine. Inconsistency can be a troubling part of Menzies game. His scoring is a big plus of his game, but the doubling needs a lot of work. A common sight has been ‘Cammy’ getting down to a double in double the time of his opponent but still lose the leg because he cannot find the segment intended.

This could be a really troubling sign if Anderson is also not at his best on the outer ring. A vulnerable side to a Scottish pairing whose scoring could blow opponents away. They get the last bit right, then they are firm contenders for glory.

Anderson has had only two partners: Wright and Robert Thornton. Menzies is a different prospect. They have never played together before with question marks around how they are going to cope, and rightly so.

As previously mentioned, Menzies mentality has been questioned. One to throw a hissy fit on stage, this may not go too well for Anderson who will be focused on the task at hand, not wanting to see a flailing Menzies out of the corner of his eye.

As team leader, it is on him to get Menzies up to speed and in a comfortable setting that he can thrive in, setting precedent on a stage he has become accustomed to in the past. However, even he has a limit, and tensions could flare if Menzies overreacts.

All of this means a lot to Menzies, and he will know very well that he cannot let Anderson down. Taking the place of someone as highly esteemed as Wright is a huge leap, something that he needs to get right. He will know about all of this and probably spoken to Anderson at length about his hysterics. This is a time where he needs to keep his cool, remember all the work he has put in and just try to enjoy the occasion. This is all great experience for him, and even one day he may be in Anderson’s shoes guiding a young Mitchell Lawrie in Germany.

That is all for the future, however. This is about now. A falling out could become costly. Both players have a responsibility on stage and a country to represent. If they can get it right, the sky is the limit.

In truth, no one really knows how the duo is going to cope, not even them. For a start, what level are they going to put in? There is a world that they do not fire when they come into their second round match, and possibly against another tough opponent exit in humiliating fashion.

There is a sense that this World Cup is very wide open. Obviously, England are the overwhelming favourites, but with the Welsh team weakened, similar inconsistency problems possibly blighting the Dutch and dartitis affecting Germany, it is one for the taking.

On their day the Scots could batter any opponent, but the cruel reality of knockout formats is that if you are not on it, then the consequences can be brutal. They need to find that formula quickly, getting into a routine while composed heads are a must. If their comradery is very good and spirits are high, then there is a brilliant chance they can leave with a third World Cup title. If not, then things could get spicy!