Japan edge Croatia in Frankfurt as 2026 World Cup of Darts group stage begins

The 2026 World Cup of Darts group stage officially commenced in Frankfurt on Thursday, marking the beginning of a tournament that pits national teams against one another in a structured group format. Day 1 featured twelve matches, setting the competitive tone for the event before the field narrows for the knockout phase.

Japan secured a notable victory on the opening day, defeating Croatia in what was described as a final-leg thriller. The result underscores the tight margins that characterise the early stages of the competition, where single-leg outcomes can determine group standings and progression paths.

While the specific scores of the other eleven Day 1 matches were not detailed in initial reports, the day featured participation from several high-profile players. Jonny Clayton, Martin Schindler, Damon Heta, Krzysztof Ratajski, and Mike De Decker were among the notable competitors who took to the stage in Germany.

The tournament structure dictates that the top country in each group will advance to the knockout stage. This format provides a significant advantage to four specific nations, which received byes to the knockout phase, allowing them to bypass the group stage entirely.

England, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, and Scotland are the teams granted these automatic byes. Their direct progression to the next round contrasts with the other participants, who must navigate the initial group matches to secure their place in the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup of Darts.