PREVIEW World Cup of Darts - Wales: No Price, no problem? Can Jonny Clayton step up to the task and carry Nick Kenny and Wales to World Cup glory?

The World Cup of Darts is set to get the best players from around the world to team up in a very unique and popular tournament with competitors having eyes on the coveted prize at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt from this Thursday. Wales duo Jonny Clayton and Nick Kenny will take centre stage for Wales, competing without Gerwyn Price.

Over four days, forty countries will be in action with Wales one of the bona fide favourites to lift the title. They almost went the distance last year, losing 10-9 in the final against Northern Ireland. It was a brilliant battle, but the chances of that occurring once more have taken a huge hammer blow with the Welsh number two not in action.

The big topic in the Welsh camp surrounds a certain Price. One half of the formidable duo with good friend Clayton. They have gone on to win two World Cup titles and reach the final another two times, with Price really making an impression in this competition.

That is something he will not do this year, withdrawing for the second time in three years. Clayton will take his place as team captain, but it is a new partner he has to guide and support through the tournament in the form of Kenny, stepping in for the absent Price.

While back in 2024 he was suffering with health issues, this time around it is for a different reason. “There needs to be a slot where I can take a little bit of time off and give some time back to the family because the schedule’s hectic at the minute,” Price explained. “It’s just about taking a break and spending some time with the family.”

Wales have been one of the teams to beat in recent times. They have failed to reach the semi-final stage only once in the prior six events, with that being in 2024. Five of the last finals had them involved with them having reached the climactic match six times. In total they have appeared in the semi-finals nine times.

The burden will fall on the shoulders of Clayton this time round. He should not be too bothered about that with him used to participating for his country, especially recently with him being the team captain due to his ranking. He has competed in the last nine World Cups as he braces to make it double digit appearances.

Clayton has been one of the standout players in 2026. While no title to show for it yet, he has reached the final of the Belgian Darts Open, losing to Luke Humphries. He has also reached two ProTour finals in the last four events, putting him in good stead ahead of the World Cup. There was huge disappointment in the Premier League finals night. Clayton bossed the league phase, winning four nights. He missed a match dart in the semi-finals and was pipped to a spot in the final by Humphries in dramatic fashion.

This top form will be needed heading into the tournament. Clayton, a clinical finisher, will be needed to be at his best to support the debutant, Kenny. The world number 61 is the Welsh number three following Jim Williams losing his tour card. It is a stark rise with a huge amount of pressure and honour being bestowed onto Kenny as he puts on his country’s garments for the very first time in Frankfurt.

His big stage showings have been very abrupt and sparse. His most notable showing was reaching the third round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship. His form going into the World Cup has not been great. He has only reached the third round stage on the floor twice and they both came in PC1 and 2. He will hope to find his best darts come the major event, not wanting to let his country down.

Clayton, in true captain fashion, has been very supportive of Kenny when speaking ahead of their partnership. “Not at all. We’re there to win a tournament. Whoever you play with, you’re there to win a tournament and that’s what we’re going to try and do,” he previously said.

Almost uncharted territory for the Welsh team. With Clayton and Price, they would normally be comfortably among the four teams who would skip the group stage and go straight into the second round. Not on this occasion with a combined ranking of 66, they are the seventh seeds.

They sit in Group C. They are by far and away the favourites to come out of it on top but must tread carefully with an upset possible in this best-of-seven format. They could come a cropper if missed doubles become regular and their scoring is not on point.

They will begin proceedings on Thursday against Lithuania, led by Darius Labanauskas and backed up by Mindaugas Barauskas. A matchup against Thailand will then take place on the Friday. Thailand representatives Sarayut Ouamuapa and Sorawis Rodman will compete for their country for the first time since 2023, and will be pumped up for the occasion, posing a possible tricky test.

To sum things up, Wales are not the force they once were without Price. Clayton is a very able leader and can pull the rabbit out of the hat, but they are limited by Kenny unless he can produce his best darts going through the tournament.

They should comfortably be able to get out of their group but a battle against one of the big seeds could see them in a spot of bother. Bigger surprises have happened, and Wales will still be held to high regards by many in the tournament. Whether they are able to challenge for another title is a different story. Very much possible, but a lot trickier.