Schedule and preview Thursday evening session 2022 World Cup of Darts including Wales, Netherlands and Germany

The World Cup of Darts is set to begin on Thursday evening with the unique pairs event set to take place in Frankfurt albeit still in the prior format which many have been calling to be changed to solely pairs.

It is the 12th edition and sees 32 countries involved from June 16-19 with pairs starting it off. Among the leading lights involved on the opening night include Wales who will continue to utilise Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton.

Price admitted that with the tournament being unranked, there was prior doubts about his participation but that he didn't want to let Clayton or his country down so decided to play. They will aim to regain the title they claimed in 2020 when they face a Philippines side anchored by stalwart, Lourence Ilagan.

While Netherlands new look side will also be involved on Thursday but one that sees a major champion in Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode who reached the final of a ProTour this week and showed some real form.

Both have previously played in the World Cup so experience in that regard is not an issue but both have played with Michael van Gerwen who after his Premier League triumph has had surgery on his arm due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome so it is up to the new duo to bring it home. They face Brazil in their opener.

A popular winner on home soil would be Germany who have their strong team of Martin Schindler and Gabriel Clemens with Max Hopp the player to miss out. They face Spain who themselves are new look with Tony Martinez teaming with Jose Justicia.

Other teams involved on Thursday night include last year's runners-up Austria with Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriguez aiming to go one better. They begin their campaign against Finland.

Republic of Ireland's William O'Connor and Steve Lennon, also previous runners-up face Canada's Jeff Smith and Matt Campbell in one of the stand-out ties. While Daryl Gurney and Brendan Dolan will team up once more for Northern Ireland to face Gibraltar.

Other ties tonight include Singapore's Paul Lim and Harith Lim facing Denmark, New Zealand and Switzerland also return with Ben Robb and Warren Parry set to face Thomas Junghans and Stefan Bellmont in the second game of the night.

2022 World Cup of Darts

Schedule of Play

Thursday June 16 (1900 local time)

First Round x8

Denmark v Singapore

New Zealand v Switzerland

Republic of Ireland v Canada

Austria v Finland

Northern Ireland v Gibraltar

Wales v Philippines

Germany v Spain

Netherlands v Brazil