Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation and PDC World Champion, has been warned by 2022 World Cup of Darts winner Simon Whitlock that the upcoming 2025 BetVictor World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, starting June 12, could “level people out” due to its distinctive pairs format, per Manchester Evening News. As Littler prepares to make his debut alongside world No. 1 Luke Humphries for England on Saturday, June 14, Whitlock emphasized the tournament’s unique pressure, stating, “You’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for your partner and your country as well, which makes it unique from everything else,” per The Mirror.
The World Cup, the only PDC event featuring doubles throughout, requires seamless coordination, which Whitlock believes can neutralize individual brilliance. “It’s pairs. It’s something different… I really do believe they should be playing more pairs tournaments,” he said at the MODUS Super Series 24/7 launch on Pluto TV, per Manchester Evening News. Despite England’s No. 1 seed status and Littler’s prolific scoring, Whitlock, who defeated England’s Michael Smith and James Wade in 2022, cautioned that the format demands teamwork over ego, per The Mirror.
Littler, who missed last year’s event due to his lower ranking, expressed excitement, saying, “I cannot wait… now, with the major ranking money contributing to the rankings, it’s a different story,” per The Mirror. Humphries, the 2024 champion with Smith, plans to let Littler throw first, leveraging his scoring prowess: “He is definitely the best scorer in the world,” per Manchester Evening News. However, rivals like Ireland’s William O’Connor have suggested potential “egos” could disrupt their synergy, per SPORTbible. As England face their last-16 opponents, Littler must navigate this leveling format to secure a debut title, per Sky Sports.
