HUMPHRIES EXPLAINS WHY WORLD CUP GLORY WITH LITTLER WOULD MEAN MORE
14/06/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
LUKE HUMPHRIES admits winning the World Cup with Luke Littler would feel even more special amid huge expectations.
Cool Hand and world No1 Littler booked their place in the quarter-finals with an 8-5 victory over Spain and will now take on Wales on Sunday afternoon.
Humphries famously ended England’s EIGHT year long wait for glory alongside Michael Smith in 2024 at Frankfurt.
But the Cheshire thrower believes lifting the title alongside Littler would carry extra significance because of the pressure surrounding darts’ biggest partnership.
He said: “The first one was very special because it was to end the drought.
“But I think this one could maybe be even more special because there’s so much more pressure on us.
“I don’t think there was that pressure on me and Michael Smith to win. People had us as favourites, but I don’t think that was the expectation of, ‘You have to win, you can’t lose.’
“I think there is sometimes that added pressure on me and Luke.
“If we could win it this year, it would feel even more special because there’s so much pressure.
“Me and Michael didn’t start that great when we won it. In our first game against France, I think we averaged 89.
“We’ve averaged five points more.
“We’re not going to come back tomorrow and be like we’ve not played well, we can’t win.
“We’ll be confident and really up for producing our best.”
Littler admits the partnership is in a much better place than last year following their second-round exit to Germany.
He added: “Coming into this year, I’ve never felt better.
“Last year, there were obviously a few nerves.
“Luke’s been here and done it before.
“But our first game last year didn’t go to plan.
“But our second game has gone to plan, and we can definitely build on it.
“Like I’ve said, we’re not going to go up there to hit 110 averages, but if we do, we do.
“I think we’re both glad we had a test today, and now we can try and get another win tomorrow.”
England return to action on Sunday afternoon and will face Wales in a blockbuster clash.
