ENGLAND won the World Cup of Darts for a record-extending sixth time after their star-studded duo of Warrington’s Luke Littler and Luke Humphries completely brushed aside their individual rivalry to dismantle the Netherlands 10-5 in the final in Frankfurt.
Twelve months after a shock second-round exit to Germany sparked immense criticism about their chemistry on stage, the world’s top two players united to deliver an absolute masterclass.
Averaging an exceptional 104.77 as a pair and firing four maximums apiece, they comfortably justified their status as heavy pre-tournament favourites to claim the historic crown.
Facing off against the lethal second-seeded Dutch pairing of Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen, the match initially began as a tight, cagey affair with both sides holding throw. However, the English pair flipped the switch just before the first interval when Littler pinned a vital double 10 to secure the first break.
England completely seized control from that moment, rattling off five consecutive legs to establish a dominant 6-2 lead. Van Gerwen showcased glimpses of his best form, but hope for the Netherlands completely evaporated when the Dutchman accidentally bust on a target of eight, paving the way for an effortless English break. Humphries, clinical as ever, ended the final in grand style by pinning double 20 to complete a brilliant 12-darter, sparking passionate celebrations with a fired-up Littler.
England’s route to the trophy on finals day was a true test of their newfound resilience, requiring them to win three consecutive matches against elite national pairings:
The triumph marks Humphries’ second World Cup title (following his 2024 win with Michael Smith) and Littler’s first major world pairs success.
Speaking to reporters after the match, both players acknowledged the intense pressure they felt to right the wrongs of last year’s early exit.”We had a lot of doubters—a lot of people who didn’t think we could play well together,” Humphries admitted. “This one feels even more special because there was so much expectation on us. We found that natural rhythm we’ve been searching for over the last two years.”
Littler echoed the sentiment, proudly adding: “We didn’t do anything wrong last year, we just ran into a better team. This year we had to win together, not on our own. I’m so proud of us—we won as a team.”
