Luke Littler, 18, makes huge World Cup of Darts decision and claims ‘it’s not a major tournament’

LUKE LITTLER has allayed fears he might skip the World Cup of Darts by confirming he WILL wear the England shirt next month.

There had been concerns ‘The Nuke’, 18, might not play alongside Luke Humphries in the international team event in Frankfurt between June 12-15.

RexLuke Litler’s participation at the World Cup of Darts has been up in the air[/caption] REXThere were serious fears that the 18-year-old could skip the competition[/caption]

This weekend, he is not involved in the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, Germany, but that is a decision made by his management team to manage his monthly schedule.

However, for some reason he has been booed and greeted with hostility by German crowds – it happened in Berlin on a Premier League night and then at the German Darts Grand Prix over Easter in Munich.

Following that last defeat overseas, a frustrated Littler said he would not return to the country until the European Championship in Dortmund in October.

He wrote on Instagram: “Shouldn’t of been in Munich but had to play anyway, next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that.”

Yet following a record fifth Premier League night success on Thursday in Birmingham, he said there was never any doubt he would miss a maiden World Cup appearance.

Littler said: “I was always playing. Luke wants to go back-to-back. And I want to win it for the first time.

“Even though it’s not a major, it is still a big event. You are playing for your country.”

Proud Englishmen Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis were World Cup winners four times between 2012-16.

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And Luke Humphries, the world No.2, and Michael Smith lifted the title in 2024 after an eight-year absence for England.

Littler, who leads the Premier League table with 35 points, faces Nathan Aspinall next week in the quarter-finals in Leeds.

And the reigning champion is trying to set a record for most points in a Prem season – he holds the joint-record of 40 points with Jonny Clayton (2022).

As others scrap for the four play-off spots, Littler can now relax before the O2 finals night on Thursday, May 29 and just get enough points to finish top of the table – which would mean a more favourable semi-final.

Assuming Manchester United reach the Europa League Final in Bilbao – they crushed Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg – then the final is on Wednesday, May 21.

This is the night before the penultimate Sheffield Prem night on Thursday, May 22 and there is the prospect Littler could attend both.

Though he is not planning on a private jet approach like snooker ace Luca Brecel did, flying into the UK just hours before his Last 16 clash with Ding Junhui at the World Snooker Championship last Saturday in Sheffield.

Littler said: “I have been looking at a few flights – if I am allowed!

“Either way, if I don’t go, I will watch it at home. I don’t think a PJ (private jet) is worth it!”

REUTERSLuke Littler will try to attend the Europa League final if Manchester Unitd are in it[/caption]