The World Cup of Darts 2026 group stage has delivered an electrifying mix of upsets and dominant performances. While newcomers Switzerland made a fantastic start with a convincing victory, several seeded nations, including Australia, Croatia, and Finland, have already been eliminated. Tonight promises more drama, with Germany needing just one leg to secure their spot in the next round, and Austria facing a must-win scenario. Get ready for a thrilling conclusion to the group stage!
Shockwaves and Surprises: Favorites Crash Out
The second round of group matches proved brutal for some of the tournament’s big names, showcasing the unpredictable nature of darts.
Croatia’s Early Exit
Despite being a seeded team, Croatia, represented by Boris Krcmar and Pero Ljubic, faced an early exit for the second year running. They suffered a narrow 3-4 defeat against Spain. After Spain took a commanding 3-1 lead, Croatia fought back to force a deciding leg, only for Spain’s José Justicia to seal the win with a fifth match dart.
Finland’s Faltering Fortunes
Another seeded nation, Finland, also found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Following a 3-4 loss to Norway yesterday, Jani Haavisto and Jonas Masalin were comprehensively beaten 0-4 by Hungary today. Five missed doubles in the first leg set the tone for a frustrating match, with Hungary capitalizing on Finnish errors to secure a dominant victory. Hungary now faces Norway in a direct battle for a place in the last 16.
Australian Dream Ends Abruptly
The Australian pairing of Damon Heta and new partner Adam Leek also saw their World Cup journey end prematurely, losing 1-4 to Canada. After conceding the first two legs, Leek managed to get Australia on the board, but Canada quickly closed out the match, sending another seeded team home.
Singapore’s Bittersweet Victory
In a twist of fate, darts legend Paul Lim and his partner Phuay Wei Tan of Singapore won their match 4-2 against Gibraltar. However, their earlier 1-4 loss to Ireland meant that even this victory wasn’t enough to keep them in the competition, confirming their elimination.
Teams Making Their Mark
Amidst the upsets, several nations delivered impressive performances, either securing their progression or putting themselves in a strong position.
Switzerland’s Stellar Start
Switzerland, with Stefan Bellmont and Marcel Walpen, enjoyed a successful start to their World Cup of Darts campaign. They secured a confident 4-1 victory over Portugal. After conceding the opening leg, the Swiss pair showed great composure, with Bellmont hitting crucial doubles and Walpen sealing the win. Switzerland now faces Poland tonight in a direct contest for the group’s top spot.
Philippines’ Powerhouse Performance
The Philippines delivered a stunning display, bouncing back from their 0-4 loss to Germany with an emphatic 4-1 win over New Zealand. Alexis Toylo and Paolo Nebrida showcased exceptional form, boasting an impressive 98-average. This dominant performance means that Germany now needs only one leg against New Zealand tonight to advance to the last 16.
Belgium Keeps Hope Alive
Belgium, featuring Dimitri van den Bergh and Mike De Decker, secured a 4-1 win against Slovenia. Despite a strong start from Slovenia, the Belgian duo quickly took control. While this victory keeps their hopes alive, their qualification fate ultimately rests on Hong Kong’s performance in their evening match.
Denmark Secures Shoot-Out Spot
In a hard-fought match, Denmark overcame India 4-1. Andreas Toft Jørgensen and Jonas Graversen capitalized on their opportunities, setting up a decisive shoot-out tonight against the favored Czech Republic for a place in the next round.
Italy and South Africa Advance
Italy secured a 4-2 win against debutants Trinidad & Tobago, ensuring their progression. Similarly, South Africa defeated Mongolia 4-1 in another debutant match, with captain Devon Petersen leading the way to secure their spot.
Tonight’s Decisive Battles: Qualification on the Line
The evening session promises high stakes as teams battle for the remaining spots in the knockout stages.
- Germany’s Simple Path: Thanks to the Philippines’ win, Germany needs just one leg against New Zealand to confirm their place in the last 16.
- Austria’s Must-Win Match: After France’s 4-3 victory over China, Austria must defeat France tonight to advance.
- Hungary vs. Norway: A direct showdown for qualification.
- Poland vs. Switzerland: The winner takes the group.
Debutants’ Learning Curve
Both Mongolia and Trinidad & Tobago, making their World Cup debuts, faced tough challenges. Mongolia lost 1-4 to South Africa, while Trinidad & Tobago put up a good fight but ultimately fell 2-4 to Italy. These teams will gain valuable experience from their first appearance on the big stage.
Afternoon Session Results (Friday, June 12, 2026)
- India 1-4 Denmark (Group H)
- Croatia 3-4 Spain (Group K)
- Finland 0-4 Hungary (Group L)
- Singapore 4-2 Gibraltar (Group D) – Singapore eliminated
- Portugal 1-4 Switzerland (Group E)
- South Africa 4-1 Mongolia (Group F)
- Italy 4-2 Trinidad & Tobago (Group J)
- Belgium 4-1 Slovenia (Group B)
- Philippines 4-1 New Zealand (Group A)
- Lithuania 4-2 Thailand (Group C) – Both eliminated
- China 3-4 France (Group I)
- Australia 1-4 Canada (Group G) – Australia eliminated
Evening Session Schedule (Friday, June 12, 2026 – starting 19:00 CEST)
- Japan vs. Spain (Group K)
- Norway vs. Hungary (Group L)
- Ireland vs. Gibraltar (Group D)
- Poland vs. Switzerland (Group E)
- Sweden vs. Mongolia (Group F)
- Latvia vs. Trinidad & Tobago (Group J)
- Hong Kong vs. Slovenia (Group B)
- Germany vs. New Zealand (Group A)
- Wales vs. Thailand (Group C)
- Austria vs. France (Group I)
- USA vs. Canada (Group G)
Prize Money Breakdown
The World Cup of Darts offers a substantial prize fund across all stages of the competition:
- Winners: £80,000 per player
- Runner-Up: £24,000 per player
- Semi-Finals: £15,000 per player
- Quarter-Finals: £10,000 per player
- Last 16: £5,000 per player
- Group Runner-Up: £3,000 per player
- Group Third Place: £2,500 per player
The total prize fund for the tournament stands at £500,000.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
