Ally Pally heroes Lim, Sakai, Leung and Kumar in World Cup of Darts action

The World Cup of Darts is just around the corner and there will be some hidden gems taking part in Frankfurt from June 11-14, live on Sky Sports.

Yes, the top four seeds of England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland include the star power of Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Josh Rock, Daryl Gurney, Gary Anderson and Cameron Menzies.

But, when you look down the list, gems pop up left, right and centre, many who made their mark winning the hearts of the crowd on the Alexandra Palace stage.

So, just who else is involved in this monumental pairs tournament? Let’s take a look…

Paul Lim (Singapore)

A man who requires no introduction, Paul Lim will be gracing the stage at the World Cup for Singapore alongside Phuay Wei Tan.

He famously hit the first nine-darter in World Championship history in 1990 and, after a two-year absence, he returned to Ally Pally in 2025.

That saw him make history as the oldest player ever to take part in the World Darts Championship at 71 years of age. Not only that, he sent the crowd into a frenzy when he picked up a first-round victory over Jeffrey de Graaf.

“The oldest slinger in town wins again on the Ally Pally stage,” cried Sky Sports Darts’ Rod Studd as he sealed the win on tops.

Eventually, he was thrashed by Humphries in the second round but that did not diminish his historic achievement.

Singapore are in Group D alongside eighth seeds Ireland and Uganda.

Motomu Sakai (Japan)

Motomu Sakai instantly made himself a fan favourite at Alexandra Palace from the moment he began his walk-on.

His electrifying dance moves had the crowd on their feet, bouncing around the stage as he took in the atmosphere.

Sakai then backed up his walk-on with his darts and he came away with a 3-0 whitewash win over Thibault Tricole in the first round.

His post-match interviews delighted too, with Sakai dancing once again and pulling faces as his interpreter explained his delight at securing a win.

His walk-on at the World Cup of Darts, alongside Haruki Muramatsu, is likely to be something to remember too.

Japan are in Group K alongside 15th seeds Croatia and Spain.

Nitin Kumar (India)

Another man with a famous walk-on, Nitin Kumar, will represent India alongside his partner Ankit Goenka.

Kumar’s walk-on to ‘Mundian to Bach Ke’ by Punjabi MC has been one that punters have looked forward to for many years now but it was in December 2025 that he sent himself soaring to new heights.

Kumar made history on the Alexandra Palace stage when he became the first Indian winner at the event when he beat Dutchman Richard Veenstra 3-2.

With it he hoped to inspire a generation. “I have opened the floodgates to a billion of them,” he said.

“I’m sorry, in 10 years down the line if you have eight people in the World Championship walking on to Bollywood music, don’t blame me, it’s happening!”

I am sure he can inspire even more if India do well in Group H with 12th seeds Czechia and Denmark.

Man Lok Leung (Hong Kong)

Man Lok Leung’s big moment came back in 2023. He stepped on to the Alexandra Palace stage and inflicted a first-round loss on up-and-comer Van Veen.

Van Veen, as has come to fruition, was touted as a star to watch but the man from Hong Kong made sure to keep the Dutchman waiting for his crowning moment.

He will partner another Ally Pally icon in Lok Yin Lee who has become known for wearing a towel around his neck while he plays.

They will be trying to put their best foot forward in Group B with sixth seeds Belgium and Slovenia.

Alexis Toylo (Philippines)

Alexis Toylo is famous for one particular thing – his methodical, precise and slow throwing action.

You will have seen him before as he is renowned for having potentially the slowest throw in darts.

Prior to each dart, he practises multiple ‘ghost throws’. That means he is at the oche longer than most.

Indeed, it might be a vital weapon for Philippines in the contest when he tries to claim victory alongside Paolo Nebrida.

They are in Group A with fifth seeds Germany and New Zealand. Intriguingly, Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko has been struggling with his throw and so has also been one of the slower players on the circuit of late.

2026 World Cup of Darts

Seeded to Round Two
(1) England
(2) Netherlands
(3) Northern Ireland
(4) Scotland

Group Stage Draw

Group A
(5) Germany
Philippines
New Zealand

Group B
(6) Belgium
Hong Kong
Slovenia

Group C
(7) Wales
Lithuania
Thailand

Group D
(8) Ireland
Singapore
Uganda

Group E
(9) Poland
Portugal
Switzerland

Group F
(10) Sweden
South Africa
Mongolia

Group G
(11) Australia
USA
Canada

Group H
(12) Czechia
India
Denmark

Group I
(13) Austria
China
France

Group J
(14) Latvia
Italy
Trinidad & Tobago

Group K
(15) Croatia
Japan
Spain

Group L
(16) Finland
Norway
Hungary

Group Stage schedule

All times UK and Ireland

Thursday June 11 (6pm)

Seeded Nation v Team 2
Czechia vs India (H)
Croatia vs Japan (K)
Finland vs Norway (L)
Ireland vs Singapore (D)
Poland vs Portugal (E)
Sweden vs South Africa (F)
Latvia vs Italy (J)
Belgium vs Hong Kong (B)
Germany vs Philippines (A)
Wales vs Lithuania (C)
Austria vs China (I)
Australia vs USA (G)

Friday June 12

Afternoon Session (11am)
Thursday’s losing nation v Team 3
Same Group Order

Evening Session (6pm)
Thursday’s winning nation v Team 3
Same Group Order

Saturday June 13

Afternoon Session (12pm)
Round Two x4

Evening Session (6pm)
Round Two x4

Sunday June 14

Afternoon Session (12pm)
Quarter-finals

Evening Session (6pm)
Semi-finals
Final

Watch the 2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts from June 11 to June 14, live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream darts with no contract.

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com