Stephen Bunting Responds to World Cup of Darts Rumours Amid Luke Littler Boycott Talk
Stephen Bunting has addressed speculation about his potential inclusion in the World Cup of Darts following strong hints that Luke Littler may boycott the event.
Defending champions England are expected to field Luke Humphries and Littler this year, based on their PDC Order of Merit rankings. However, Littler recently suggested he might skip the tournament in Germany, sharing a cryptic message on Instagram after his loss at the German Darts Grand Prix, saying his next German appearance wouldn’t be until October in Dortmund.
Littler, who was booed during his semi-final defeat to Gian van Veen, wrote: “Shouldn’t have been in Munich but had to play anyway, next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that.”
Bunting, currently ranked third among English players, commented on the possibility of stepping in: “He’s put a few posts on socials about not going back to Germany,” Bunting said. “Well, if he doesn’t go back to Germany, that means I’m in the World Cup, doesn’t it?”
Bunting, known as “The Bullet,” is gearing up for his home appearance in the Premier League Darts in Liverpool. He also warned Littler that his support for Manchester United may not go over well with the local crowd: “It doesn’t really bother me—as long as they’re supporting me, I couldn’t give a carrot about anyone else.”
Reflecting on past incidents, Bunting added: “Last year, I was there as a fan and he [Littler] was mocking us [Liverpool fans] for losing 2-0 to Everton. People don’t forget that. I imagine he’s going to get a few boos from a Liverpool crowd, and after what happened in Germany, I don’t think he likes that kind of attention. But sometimes, you bring it on yourself.”
Despite the rivalries and crowd reactions, Bunting says his focus remains on the game and connecting with fans: “I’m just a normal person trying to give something back, whether it’s on TikTok or YouTube. Tomorrow night, it’s not just about football—there will be fans supporting me for who I am as a dart player.”
The World Cup of Darts is set to kick off on June 12 in Frankfurt. Whether Littler will attend remains to be seen—but if not, Bunting is more than ready to step in.
