Luke Littler decides World Cup plan as darts star rates England’s chances | Football | Sport

Luke Littler plans to be at this summer’s World Cup to watch England – and Thomas Tuchel and his team will hope his magic can rub off on them. The Nuke spent time with Tuchel’s squad last week at their St George’s Park training camp and how they need some of his fear factor to take into the finals after the draw with Uruguay and the defeat by Japan.

By chance, and with perfect timing, the US Darts Masters takes place at Madison Square Garden on June 25-26 and England’s final group match is in New Jersey on Saturday June 27. Double world champion Littler, who tomorrow night looks to strengthen his spot at the top of the BetMGM Premier League, said: “Hopefully they do start winning. I don’t think friendlies mean much. It is a friendly, the players need to keep fit, go back to their clubs and we’ve still got a good chance of the World Cup. We play in New York and then on the following Saturday, we play our last game against Panama, so hopefully we can make that one.

“I checked and the actual ground is only 25 minutes away so hopefully I can get to that one.” England open their campaign against Croatia on June 17 before facing Ghana on the 23rd and then Panama, at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, in their last match in Group L.

First, and priority, for Littler is his bid to regain the Premier League darts crown he won in 2024. After a disappointing start to the season, he has soared to the top of the table on 21 points, two ahead of Jonny Clayton, as the tournament heads into week nine in Manchester this evening.

Littler plays Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals. But The Nuke, who has won on three nights this season, had no concerns when it did not go to plan as he did not make his first final until week five in Cardiff. Littler said: “This is why darts is such a crazy sport.

“You win some, you lose some. You have bad moments, you have even better moments. A few weeks did not go to plan but just look at where I am now. I don’t think there is any need to worry about anything.

“Once you are on stage, for myself, just enjoy it, thrive off the fans, the chanting and as long as I am playing my good darts and my best performances, there is nothing to worry about. I am always excited to come to Manchester, play my darts and I am hoping to get another win.

“After the last few years, I think about 25, 26 points gets you into The 02 (finals night), call it 30 points and say I am in. The O2 is important to get there, that is the main aim. But topping the table would be nice once again.

“Jonny has had a great start and there is no doubt Jonny will keep chasing. Everyone is going to keep chasing for top spot, we all know that, but we have to keep going.”

On night seven he was 5-0 down to Gerwyn Price in the final but hit back to win 6-5. Littler added: I am never out of a game and against Gezzy, that showed it.

“I even said to myself on stage when I made it 5-3, ‘I’ve got him’ as he started going below the treble and he was trying to move over the oche, trying to fight for the trebles, missing doubles and I don’t think I am scared of anyone. I am just up there doing my job.”