As the darts world gears up for the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt from June 12-15, 2025, England’s dynamic duo of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler is sending a bold message to their rivals: “No one’s going to touch us.” The world No. 1 Humphries, brimming with confidence, has hailed his partnership with the 18-year-old reigning PDC World Champion Littler as a “dream team,” setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling defense of England’s title. This formidable pairing, dubbed the “Lukes of Hazard,” combines Humphries’ seasoned precision with Littler’s fearless flair, making them the team to beat in a tournament that pits the best from 40 nations against each other.
Humphries, who clinched the World Cup crown alongside Michael Smith in 2024, is no stranger to the pressures of representing England. His unwavering patriotism shines through as he declares, “I would never turn down playing for my country—no matter how tired I was, how ill I was, whether I’m dying or not.” This passion is matched by Littler, whose meteoric rise has captivated the darts world. The teenager, who became the youngest PDC World Champion in January 2025 by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3, brings a wealth of doubles experience from his youth career, making him an ideal partner. “Luke’s got good doubles experience from when he used to play in tournaments before he joined the PDC,” Humphries noted, emphasizing their complementary strengths.
The road to this partnership wasn’t without its hurdles. Littler’s participation was briefly in doubt after a hostile reception from German crowds at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich earlier this year, prompting him to suggest he might skip events in Germany until October. However, the young star quickly clarified his commitment, stating, “No, no, I was always [going to play]. Luke will want to go back-to-back, and obviously I want to win it for the first time.” Humphries, unfazed by the speculation, brushed off concerns with a smile: “I saw the post. I knew he didn’t mean what he meant. He probably forgot about the World Cup.” Their camaraderie was further evident when Littler took to Instagram, posting pictures of the duo embracing on stage with the caption, “Dream team confirmed, bring on the World Cup in June.”
As the top seeds, England enter the tournament as overwhelming favorites, a status Humphries acknowledges but urges his team to embrace lightly. “We’re fully aware that we’re going to be massive favorites and everyone’s going to expect us to win,” he said. “But I feel like we have to take away that pressure and just go out and enjoy it.” The unique doubles format of the World Cup adds an extra layer of intensity, as Littler himself noted: “Even though it’s not a major, it’s still playing for your country.” Their synergy, honed through a fiercely competitive rivalry in the 2024 Premier League—where Littler bested Humphries 6-3 in a high-octane Aberdeen quarter-final averaging 116—promises a spectacle for fans.
Despite their confidence, Humphries remains wary of potential challengers. He singled out Wales’ Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, calling them a “potential banana skin” for their proven track record, having won the title in 2020 and 2023. Other threats include Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, and the Netherlands’ ever-dangerous contingent. “There are great teams in there,” Humphries admitted, but he’s banking on their chemistry to prevail. “If me and Luke gel and everything goes well, it’s going to be an incredibly tough performance to beat us both.”
England’s World Cup legacy is storied, with five titles since 2010, including four by Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis and last year’s triumph by Humphries and Smith. The “Lukes of Hazard” aim to add to that tally, leveraging Littler’s historic nine-darters and Humphries’ clinical finishing, like his 103.66 average in a Bahrain Darts Masters whitewash. Their recent clashes, including a 2024 World Championship final where Humphries edged Littler 7-4, have showcased their ability to push each other to new heights. “I feel like the fans are going to enjoy watching us both play together,” Humphries told the Weekly Dartscast, a sentiment echoed by Littler’s enthusiasm for their joint venture.
For Littler, this marks his first senior England appearance at the World Cup, a milestone after representing his country in youth events like the 2021 MVG Masters and 2022 WDF Europe Youth Cup, where he won multiple golds. Humphries, meanwhile, carries the weight of defending the title, driven by a desire to cement his legacy. As they prepare to don the England jersey, the darts world watches eagerly, anticipating a performance that could redefine the tournament’s history. With Humphries’ steely resolve and Littler’s youthful audacity, this dream team is ready to make their mark in Frankfurt, proving that when they gel, no one can touch them.
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