Trinidad and Tobago’s darts team has achieved a historic milestone, securing their place in the prestigious 2026 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, Germany. Representing the Caribbean, the duo of Balfour and Walkin delivered an astonishing performance, dominating their group, sweeping through the knockout stages, and most notably, defeating the reigning CDLC champions in a nail-biting encounter. Their journey culminated in a decisive 10-1 victory in the final, marking a significant moment for the sport and establishing them as formidable new contenders on the international stage.
When you think of Trinidad and Tobago making waves on a global stage, football often comes to mind. But this summer, as football’s biggest event kicks off in North America, darts will take centre stage in Germany, featuring a new, exciting name: Trinidad and Tobago. The pairing of Balfour and Walkin has not just qualified; they’ve stormed into the 2026 World Cup of Darts, proving that the sport is truly globalizing and becoming more unpredictable than ever before.
A Dominant Path to Qualification
Balfour and Walkin immediately signaled their intentions by navigating Group C with remarkable ease. Their performance was nothing short of commanding, winning all three of their matches and conceding a mere two legs throughout the entire group stage.
- Opened with a strong 4-1 win over Costa Rica.
- Followed up by defeating Panama 4-1.
- Concluded their group stage dominance with a convincing 4-0 victory against the Cayman Islands, topping their section in style.
Knockout Stage: Unstoppable Momentum
This early momentum carried directly into the Last 16. Trinidad and Tobago delivered one of the most clinical displays of the round, executing a dominant 5-0 whitewash over Brazil’s Roberto Wentz and Claudio Domingues. With their confidence soaring and their scoring consistently strong, they entered the quarter-finals looking like genuine title contenders.
The Shocking Upset: Defeating the Champions
The quarter-finals presented their toughest challenge yet. They faced Jesus Salate and Victor Guillin, the reigning CDLC qualifier winners, who were widely expected to return to Frankfurt after their impressive World Cup debut in 2025. Many predicted another victory for the champions.
Instead, Balfour and Walkin held their nerve in a tense, decisive final leg. They sealed a dramatic 5-4 victory, not only knocking out the formidable favourites but also completely blowing open the rest of the draw. This victory was particularly sweet for Balfour, who had lost to Salate in the final of the CDLC Tour opener just the day before, making it a measure of sweet revenge.
Sealing the Deal: Semi-Final and Grand Final
Building on the high of their quarter-final triumph, Trinidad and Tobago continued their impressive run.
- They secured an 8-4 semi-final win against Chile’s Mauricio Carcamo and George Patterson.
- Then, they saved their absolute best performance for the final against the Bahamian pair, Rashad Sweeting and Lorenzo Deveaux.
Despite both teams reaching a qualifier final for the first time, Trinidad and Tobago showed no signs of nerves. They quickly established an early lead and maintained complete control of the scoring throughout the match. After conceding just one leg early on, they went on an incredible run, winning eight straight legs to complete a dominant 10-1 victory and emphatically confirm their place at the World Cup.
What’s Next for Trinidad & Tobago?
For Trinidad and Tobago, the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt this June offers more than just a chance to compete; it’s an opportunity to emulate the spirit of teams like Argentina, who arrived as underdogs last year and captivated the darting world. Balfour and Walkin have already proven they can stun champions and dominate the competition. Now, the world awaits to see if these Caribbean darting heroes can continue their remarkable ascent on one of darts’ biggest international stages.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
