‘A good possibility’ – Michael van Gerwen hints at return to popular darts tournament after four-year absence

The three-time World Cup champion left the door open for a comeback after skipping the 2025 edition to prioritize family time

Michael van Gerwen has suggested he could return to the World Cup of Darts in the future, despite declaring he might “never play” in the prestigious team event again when he withdrew from the 2025 tournament.

The three-time world champion pulled out of last year’s World Cup to spend time with his family during what he called the “worst year ever” personally, with his marriage ending and his father battling cancer. Gian van Veen took his place alongside Danny Noppert to represent the Netherlands.

The “Maybe” That Offers Hope

When announcing his withdrawal following his victory at the German Grand Prix in May 2025, van Gerwen didn’t completely slam the door on future participation. “Maybe it’s an option in the future – but you never know what might happen,” the 36-year-old told Dartsnews.com, before adding the more ominous caveat: “Maybe I’ll never play in the World Cup of Darts again.”

That tentative “maybe it’s an option” has kept the possibility alive for fans hoping to see “Mighty Mike” return to the team format where he’s enjoyed some of his greatest triumphs.

A Legendary World Cup Record

If van Gerwen does return, he’d be adding another chapter to an already storied World Cup career. The Dutchman has won the tournament three times—in 2014, 2017, and 2018—partnering Raymond van Barneveld for all three victories.

Van Gerwen is part of only two teams to have ever successfully defended the World Cup title, alongside England’s Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis. Only Taylor, Lewis, and van Barneveld have more World Cup triumphs than van Gerwen, each claiming four titles.

In 2024, van Gerwen and Noppert finished third after Luke Humphries and Michael Smith claimed victory for England. It marked the last time the Green Machine competed in the team event.

Why He Stepped Away

Van Gerwen’s decision to withdraw came during an exceptionally difficult period both on and off the oche. The Dutchman failed to qualify for the Premier League play-offs for only the second time in 13 years and missed the Players Championship Finals for the first time in his career.

But the sporting struggles paled in comparison to his personal challenges. Van Gerwen announced his separation from his wife Daphne after 11 years of marriage, while also supporting his father Henri through cancer treatment.

“I won’t be part of the team this year – I’m on holiday,” van Gerwen explained when announcing his withdrawal. The typically driven competitor chose family time over competitive glory, a decision that highlighted just how taxing 2025 had become.

Schedule Pressures Mount

Van Gerwen has been vocal about the relentless PDC schedule, defending himself against critics who labeled him “lazy” for missing events.

“Sometimes when you’re too busy, people don’t know my schedule,” he told Online Darts. “Maybe only Phil Taylor, maybe Luke Littler now, but no one else my schedule in the last 13, 14, 15 years, so it’s difficult for them to judge about it. They’ve never been in that position.”

The seven-time Premier League winner isn’t alone in his complaints. Nathan Aspinall has described the current PDC schedule as “obscene,” suggesting the demands on top players have reached unsustainable levels.

A Resurgent 2026

The timing of any potential World Cup return could prove significant given van Gerwen’s improved form heading into 2026. He ended his two-year major title drought by winning the World Series Finals in September 2025, defeating Luke Littler 11-7 in the final.

Though he suffered an early exit at the World Championship—losing to Gary Anderson in the fourth round for his earliest Ally Pally departure in a decade—van Gerwen rebounded strongly at the start of 2026.

He claimed the Bahrain Darts Masters title in January, defeating compatriot Gian van Veen 8-6 in the final to capture his 17th World Series crown. The victory demonstrated that at 36, van Gerwen remains a formidable competitor when focused and healthy.

What the Future Holds

The 2026 World Cup of Darts, scheduled for June in Frankfurt, Germany, would see van Gerwen paired with van Veen—the young star who replaced him last year. Van Veen has since emerged as the new Dutch number one after reaching the World Championship final, making the potential partnership intriguing.

However, van Gerwen’s qualifier “maybe it’s an option” suggests any return depends on multiple factors: his form, his family situation, his father’s health, and his own desire to commit to the intense schedule that team events demand.

For now, Dutch fans can only hope that van Gerwen’s “maybe” eventually becomes a “yes.” His absence from the 2025 World Cup left a significant void—not just for the Netherlands, but for a tournament that has seen some of his most memorable performances.

Whether van Gerwen chooses to return remains uncertain. But by leaving the door ajar rather than shutting it completely, he’s given supporters reason to believe that the World Cup legend might have one more chapter left to write in the team competition where he’s created so much history.

As van Gerwen himself acknowledged when praising his replacement: “He’s a fantastic player and definitely someone to keep an eye on in the future.” The same could be said about van Gerwen’s own World Cup future—it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.