The World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, Germany, is shaping up to be a battleground not just for precision at the oche but for psychological warfare, as Ireland’s William O’Connor has fired a pointed jab at England’s star duo, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. The tournament, which kicked off on June 12, 2025, sees the world’s top darts players competing in pairs, and England’s formidable team, led by the world No. 1 and No. 2, is the heavy favorite to defend their title. However, O’Connor’s provocative comments have cast a spotlight on the potential vulnerabilities of the English pair, suggesting their individual brilliance—and egos—could be their undoing.
Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy dubbed “The Nuke,” and Humphries, the reigning Premier League champion known as “Cool Hand,” are a dream team on paper. Their combined accolades include Littler’s 2025 PDC World Championship title, where he became the youngest champion in history at 17, and Humphries’ World Championship and World Matchplay crowns. Last year, Humphries partnered with Michael Smith to secure England’s fifth World Cup title, a victory that marked their first since the Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis era. Now, with Littler stepping into Smith’s shoes, expectations are sky-high for the duo to dominate the Eissporthalle from June 12-15. Yet, O’Connor, fresh off Ireland’s 4-2 win over Gibraltar in the opening round, has boldly questioned whether their star power will translate into seamless teamwork.
Speaking after his match, O’Connor didn’t mince words about the English pair’s dynamic. “It’s not singles like, we’ll see how egos go,” he remarked, hinting at the challenges of transitioning from fierce individual rivals to cohesive teammates. “If egos go against you, then you never know how that doubles will go, don’t know how those pairs will gel like, they might not gel together.” His comments underscore the unique demands of the World Cup’s pairs format, where synergy is as critical as skill. O’Connor acknowledged their potential, noting, “Yes, they have the potential to just whitewash everyone in their way,” but quickly added a caveat: “they also have the potential to fall apart, so we’ll see.” His teammate, Keane Barry, echoed the sentiment, calling England “the team to beat” but emphasizing that “everyone is beatable” on any given day.
The remarks come at a time when Littler and Humphries are navigating a complex relationship. Their rivalry has defined darts over the past 18 months, with 24 head-to-head clashes since their 2024 World Championship final. Littler holds a 13-10 edge, including a stunning 2024 Premier League title win where he hit a nine-darter. Humphries, however, got his revenge in the 2025 Premier League final, clinching an 11-8 victory at London’s O2 Arena. Off the board, their camaraderie shines through—Humphries has called Littler “a close friend” and “a good kid,” predicting the teenager will surpass his own achievements. Yet, the World Cup’s high-stakes pairs format, as Germany’s Martin Schindler pointed out, requires an adjustment. “It’s a pairs tournament; you are not really prepared for that playing at the highest level mostly playing for ourselves,” Schindler said, noting that even last year’s winning pair, Humphries and Smith, had to adapt.
Adding fuel to the narrative, Littler faces potential hostility from German crowds, a lingering issue from his frosty reception at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich earlier this year. After being booed, he briefly vowed to skip German tournaments, only to clarify his commitment to the World Cup. Humphries has vowed to support his younger teammate, saying, “If they’re on his back, I’ll be there to say, ‘don’t worry about what they’re doing, focus on your game.’” The duo’s decision to forgo joint practice sessions—Humphries citing their elite skill levels as sufficient—has raised eyebrows, with some wondering if their confidence borders on overconfidence.
As England enters the second round on Saturday, the darts world is buzzing with anticipation. Will Littler and Humphries’ undeniable talent overcome any ego clashes or crowd pressures? Or will O’Connor’s warning prove prophetic, giving underdogs like Ireland, Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, or Wales’ Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton a chance to upset the favorites? With the Netherlands dominating early matches and Scotland’s Peter Wright also stirring the pot with his own jabs at England, the World Cup promises a thrilling mix of skill, strategy, and drama. For now, all eyes are on the “Lukes of Hazard,” whose partnership could either cement their legacy or expose cracks in their armor.
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