Luke Humphries and Luke Littler: Third English Duo to Claim World Cup of Darts Title
Published 14 June 2026
England secured a record-extending sixth World Cup of Darts title, as Luke Littler and Luke Humphries defeated the Netherlands 10-5 in Frankfurt.
The top seeds had earlier overcome Wales and Scotland on Sunday to set up a thrilling best-of-19-legs final against second seeds Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen.
Following a surprising second-round exit to hosts Germany last year, the partnership of Littler and Humphries faced questions. However, they averaged over 104 to overpower the Dutch side.
"I'm absolutely thrilled β that's the best performance we've put in throughout the entire tournament," Littler told Sky Sports.
"That's exactly what we had to do. We can't deliver that every match; it's tough. There have been obstacles, but we got the job done.
"We didn't make any mistakes last year; we simply faced a superior team. This year, we had to succeed as a pair, not as individuals.
"I'm proud of us β we triumphed together."
The world's top four players produced a tightly contested opening, with throw being held until Littler hit double 10 to secure a break just before the first interval.
England held their throw after the break, and then Humphries finished 87 to break again, establishing a three-leg lead.
From that point, the Premier League champion and runner-up never looked like relinquishing their advantage. Littler hit tops to extend the lead to 6-2 as England's average climbed to 114. Van Veen responded with a timely 180 as the Dutch held throw with a 14-dart leg.
Humphries recovered from a minor error β his failed set-up left Littler needing and missing a bullseye to break β by hitting double four to put the duo 7-3 ahead going into the second break.
The Dutch were given a lifeline when Littler failed to check out 78, allowing Van Veen a 64 finish to reduce the deficit. Van Gerwen then showed similar composure to hold his throw.
But they knew the match was over when, after hitting a remarkable 174, Van Gerwen bust on an attempted eight checkout, and England broke.
That left England needing 41 for victory, and Humphries sealed the world title β his second and Littler's first β with scores of nine, 16, and double eight.
"Michael [van Gerwen] was outstanding tonight β he's back and playing incredible darts," Humphries told Sky Sports.
"We knew we had to capitalise on our opportunities. If you give Holland any chance, they'll snatch victory from you.
"We were a bit off against Wales, but we rode the luck we had in that match."
**England brush aside Scotland after dramatic Wales comeback**
After a surprising second-round defeat at last year's World Cup, it appeared England were heading for another early exit.
Littler and Humphries found themselves 0-4 down to Wales in their quarter-final earlier on Sunday and still trailed 2-5 at the break.
England came out strongly in the second session, with Humphries erasing the deficit before Littler hit double tops as the pair took the lead for the first time.
Wales' Nick Kenny forced a deciding leg after Littler hit a 170 checkout, but missed 84 to snatch victory, allowing Littler to hit double two and win.
England got off to a much better start against Scotland's Gary Anderson and Cameron Menzies in the semi-finals.
The Premier League duo went into the interval with a 5-2 lead after breaking in the fourth leg. A 12-darter in the tenth leg then put England on the verge of victory.
Littler needed just one match dart to hit double 20, making it two wins from two against British rivals on Sunday.
Fourth seeds Scotland entered the semi-finals in fine form, having thrashed Norway 8-0 and beaten the Republic of Ireland 8-5.
However, Anderson and Menzies only had two darts at doubles in the first session, as both Littler and Humphries averaged over 100.
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