Rob Cross makes feelings clear on Luke Littler and Luke Humphries after World Cup of Darts struggles

On June 18, 2025, former world champion Rob Cross passionately defended Luke Littler and Luke Humphries following their unexpected second-round exit at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, per GB News. The English duo, ranked world No. 1 and No. 2, were stunned 8-4 by Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko, despite being heavy favorites, per Daily Star. Cross, speaking to Action Network, expressed disbelief at their “meltdown,” saying, “I can’t get my head around why it didn’t work,” but insisted the loss wasn’t due to pressure or lack of skill, per.

Cross emphasized their status, stating, “These boys are the two best players in the world,” and dismissed claims of bottling, suggesting the pairs format and Germany’s home crowd played a role, per Daily Star. He noted the challenge of doubles, where “you have to rely on each other,” contrasting England’s debut pairing with Wales’ experienced duo of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, who have “chemistry,” per. Cross also highlighted Littler and Humphries’ reliance on individual performance, saying, “You’ve got to rely on yourself because it’s the only person that gets you out of trouble,” per.

Despite the loss, Cross backed their resilience, predicting, “They’re both amazing and will bounce back,” and praised their recent MBEs as “great for the game,” per GB News. Sentiment on X, like @DailyStar_Sport, echoed Cross’s shock, while @Oche180 noted criticism from a darts legend questioning their MBEs, per. Cross’s comments reflect confidence in Littler and Humphries’ ability to rebound as they prepare for events like the World Matchplay (July 19–27), per Sky Sports.