North American powerhouses USA and Canada have been ever-presents at the PDC World Cup of Darts since the tournament’s inauguration in 2010. Both nations boast a quarter-final appearance as their best run to date, and with a growing talent pool across the continent, each will be aiming to finally break new ground.
Both nations have had on off success in the world of PDC darts, with Larry Butler and John Part claiming major titles and World Championships, but neither has so far enjoyed significant success in the team flagship event.
The 2025 iteration of the BetVictor World Cup of Darts is set to light up Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 12th to 15th, as forty nations collide in a spectacular celebration of global tungsten-slinging prowess.
Canada - Matt Campbell & Jim Long
Lining up for Canada this year are Matt Campbell and Jim Long. For The Gentleman, it will be only Long’s second appearance - his first coming six years ago alongside Dawson Murschell, when they were halted in the quarter-finals by the Dutch.
At 57 years old, the seasoned thrower from London - not the English capital, but its Canadian namesake in Ontario - has been part of the darting circuit since around the turn of the millennium. Yet it wasn’t until earlier this year that he finally claimed a long-overdue PDC Tour Card, securing it on the final day of Q-School.
One man who was likely pleased by that - or at least now has someone to talk ice-hockey with - is Matt Campbell. The Ginger Ninja returns for his sixth consecutive World Cup campaign under the Team Maple Leaf banner, having previously played four times with The Silencer, Jeff Smith.
Canada’s World Cup record is fairly balanced, winning nearly half their matches since the competition began. The legendary John Part led the charge for the first eight editions, going through more partners than a Love Island finalist. Despite his accolades, even he couldn’t get past the quarter-finals. Now it’s up to Campbell and Long to try and go one better - with Canada having fallen at that stage four times before. They’ll be confident of progressing from a group that includes Malaysia and Denmark.
World Cup of Darts: Full previews history and much more
The draw is in, and all 36 non-seeded nations now know their group-stage fate, with the PDC confirming the twelve three-team pools. The four seeded heavyweights – England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland – will enjoy a watching brief until the last 16, where their knockout opponents will be revealed.
USA - Danny Lauby & Jules van Dongen
Meanwhile, the USA will field the same duo as last year - Danny Lauby and Jules van Dongen. The World Cup hasn’t been a particularly fruitful adventure for the Americans, who’ve generally looked more at home throwing footballs than tungsten. That said, both players are dangerous on their day, and if The Dutch Dragon - odd name for an American until you remember he was in fact born over there - can reignite his form, they could be a threat.
You have to go all the way back to 2012 for their best and only quarter-final appearance - the iconic pairing of Darin Young and Gary Mawson. Alongside Larry Butler, they had been the faces of American darts throughout much of the previous decade.
Lauby now brings valuable experience to the table - this will be his fourth World Cup appearance. And that will prove a vital commodity. First job for Team USA: top a group featuring Bahrain and Hong Kong. Do that, and who knows - anything is possible amidst the drama of knockout darts.
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