The Dart Side of Life - The Adrian Geiler Column #10: World Cup of Darts 2026: Meet the BULL’S Players and the Teams to Watch

With 40 nations heading to Frankfurt, the 2026 World Cup of Darts promises to be one of the most unpredictable editions yet. Adrian Geiler breaks down the chances of the BULL’S players, highlights potential dark horses, and explains why this tournament could be wide

Hello darts fans,

It’s official: the participant list for the World Cup of Darts has been finalized. The team world championship is one of my favorite tournaments. Nowhere else in darts can you feel the sport’s variety and diversity quite like you can from May 11–14 at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt. It’s a genuine darts festival. Forty nations will compete, all hoping to follow in the footsteps of defending champions Northern Ireland. Among the 80 players in total are five BULL’S players.

Team Germany

For the third consecutive year, BULL’S player Martin Schindler will lead the German duo as captain. With his eighth appearance at the World Cup of Darts, “The Wall” becomes Germany’s all-time record holder for appearances at the team world championship. By his side once again is Ricardo “Pikachu” Pietreczko, just like in 2025. Together, they gave German darts its own summer fairytale last year. Their victory over England and the seemingly unbeatable “Lukes” (Luke Humphries and Luke Littler) ranks among the greatest wins in German darts history.

This year, however, both Martin and Ricardo have had their struggles. While Martin seems to be getting his issues increasingly under control, Ricardo appears to be heading in the opposite direction. That has sparked an intense debate over whether “Pikachu” should give up his spot — especially because his replacement would likely be fellow BULL’S player Niko Springer, who has bounced back strongly after his World Championship disappointment. I think it’s a complex discussion. From a purely sporting perspective, withdrawing might be the best decision for Ricardo — although nobody really knows how his throwing issues will develop. The media pressure would also be enormous. But Ricardo earned this place (and the substantial prize money that comes with it) as Germany’s second-best darts player over the past two years. It’s his decision, and that decision deserves respect. No matter what Ricardo decides: with the home crowd behind them, Germany is always a team to watch.

Team Austria

Long-time BULL’S player Mensur Suljović is one of the constants of the World Cup of Darts. Only “The Gentle” and William O’Connor (Ireland) have represented their countries at every single edition of the tournament. Once again, he’ll partner fellow BULL’S player Rusty-Jake Rodriguez. For “RJR3,” this will be his second World Cup appearance.

Last year, the partnership worked extremely well. In both matches, Suljović and Rodriguez averaged over 90, even setting a new national record with a 99.38 average. Yet they still failed to advance from a brutal group featuring Australia and Spain — the second time in the last three years Austria exited in the group stage. Sandwiched in between, however, was a surprise run to the final in 2024.

Austria belongs to the extended group of favorites for me. Above all because Mensur is playing better than he has in years. If Rusty-Jake can avoid too much of a drop-off after a difficult season so far, “Felix Austria” could make another deep run.

Team Poland

For me, Poland is the absolute dark horse of the tournament. Hardly any other team — perhaps only Northern Ireland — has so few weaknesses. BULL’S player Krzysztof Ratajski captains the side and is having a fantastic year. His partner is one of the tour’s rising stars: Sebastian Białecki.

“Bolt” won a ProTour title last year and is now on the verge of qualifying for the World Matchplay. This could be a brilliant combination: on one side, the experienced “Polish Eagle,” Poland’s history maker; on the other, his protégé and potential heir.

One thing is certain: the Polish camp will have a lot more chemistry in 2026. The atmosphere with the previous Ratajski/Szagański pairing often felt more like a marriage of convenience. Ratajski and Białecki, meanwhile, have known each other since “Bolt” was a child.

Team Spain

And here comes another dark horse. Spain has traditionally been a giant killer at the World Cup of Darts. Who could forget their victory at the inaugural edition in 2010 over England’s Phil Taylor and James Wade — the world numbers one and two at the time? Spain eventually reached the semifinals that year.

Now, the 2026 Spanish team might be the best they’ve ever had. BULL’S player

Cristo Reyes is back on tour and playing better than ever. Only the phenomenal Beau Greaves has earned more prize money from the current Tour Card class than “The Spartan.” His nine-darter in Graz was just the latest highlight. For the first time in seven years, Cristo returns to the team world championship. And for the first time, he’ll partner Jose Justicia. “The Joker” reached a Challenge Tour final earlier this year and also featured on the ProTour as a substitute player.

Despite all that, Spain remains unseeded. No team will want to draw this duo in the group stage — and they are more than capable of causing serious damage.

Team Norway

The Scandinavians head into this World Cup unchanged. BULL’S player Cor Dekker is Norway’s only Tour Card holder and therefore the team leader. Once again, Kent Jøran Sivertsen will partner him.

After last year’s group-stage exit, this combination still has room for improvement. Since joining BULL’S, Cor has developed very positively. Qualification for the World Championship via the Nordic & Baltic Tour is within reach — and with it, the hope of somehow holding on to his Tour Card after all. For Norway, who head into the tournament unseeded, everything depends on Cor’s level.

When I look at the other nations, one thing stands out: this could be one of the most open World Cups of Darts in years.

England didn’t click with “the Lukes” last year. Wales and Jonny Clayton are missing the perfect partner in Gerwyn Price. How will defending champions Northern Ireland cope with the pressure on Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney? How well will Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen — nominally now the Dutch number one — work together? Scotland fields an unpredictable combination in debutant Cameron Menzies and Gary Anderson. Germany is a question mark, and Belgium (Mike de Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh) perhaps an even bigger one.

All of that could open the door for the underdogs — Poland, Spain, Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, Ireland. And I’m absolutely here for it.

I can’t wait for this tournament. And I hope you can’t either.

Game on,

yours, Adrian