The 2025 World Cup of Darts begins Thursday, with the first two days featuring 36 group stage matches across three sessions.
2025 World Cup of Darts group stage winner predictions
Today, I am going to predict which 12 countries will advance out of the group stage to the knockout stage of the tournament on Saturday.
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Group A
Winner: Netherlands
This group features the Netherlands, Italy and Hungary.
The Dutch pair of Gian van Veen and Danny Noppert should get out of this group pretty easily.
Both are top-23 players in the world and barring any disasters should take care of Italy and Hungary.
Italy did advance out of their group last year, but it was a fairly weak group.
Group B
Winner: Belgium
This group features Belgium, Latvia and the Philippines.
Belgium could have a decent amount of pressure on them in these two games.
Latvia's Madars Razma is a tour cardholder and has had his moments in his career.
Paolo Nebrida of the Philippines made it to the third round of this year's PDC WC.
Lourence Ilagan of the Philippines recently put up a few legs in a best-of-nine and best-of-eleven game against Luke Littler in the 2025 Bahrain Darts Masters and the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts group stage.
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Group C
Winner: Germany
This group features Germany, Portugal and Singapore.
Germany has a new duo this year of Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko.
Portugal has the world number 51, Jose de Sousa, but he likely won't be enough on his own to combat the Germans.
Singapore has the legendary Paul Lim, still competing at 71 years old.
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Group D
Winner: Ireland
This group features Ireland, Gibraltar and China
William O'Connor of Ireland is set to compete in his 15th World Cup of Darts.
The pair are ranked 47th and 54th in the world.
Gibraltar upset Spain in a group-stage match in 2024, but Ireland should have enough to advance to the last 16.
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Group E
Winner: South Africa
This group features Poland, South Africa and Norway.
This is the first non-seed upset that I will predict for the group stage.
With the best-of-seven short format, it allows countries to pull off doable upsets.
South Africa has former PDC tour card Devon Petersen, who made some quality runs in major tournaments years ago.
They also have Cameron Carolissen who had an impressive showing in a last-leg decider against Wessel Nijman at this year's PDC WC in the first round.
Poland should make it close, but I believe South Africa can pull off the upset.
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Group F
Winner: Canada
This group features Canada, Malaysia and Denmark
Denmark was competitive against Latvia and France last year, but Canada has gotten better and is now seeded.
Jim Long is making his first appearance with Canada since 2019, while Matt Campbell, the world number 53, will be appearing for the sixth straight year.
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Group G
Winner: France
This group features Sweden, France and Lithuania.
This is another projected upset.
France has made a name for itself over the past two years, making it to the second round and the quarterfinals in consecutive years.
Sweden's Jeffrey de Graaf has been in good form, so they very well have a chance, but France always seem to step up on the biggest stage.
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Group H
Winner: Australia
This group features Austria, Australia and Spain.
This should be a two-county race between Austria and Australia.
With Simon Whitlock losing his tour card, Australia dropped out of the seeding.
Whitlock is another player that rises to the occassion, and paired with Damon Heta who's top 10 in the world, Australia could very well beat the number 12 seed, Austria.
Austria did go on a run to the final last year, but I expect Australia to get by.
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Group I
Winner: United States
This group features the United States, Hong Kong and Bahrain.
Bahrain almost managed to pull off an incredible upset against the Czech Republic in 2024.
In their second game though, they lost 4-0 with a 54.35 average.
They do have a new pair competing this year, but with the United States seeded the highest they've been since 2012, they should be able to overcome Bahrain.
If anything, Hong Kong should be a slight threat to the Americans.
Hong Kong averaged 90.99 in a 4-1 win over Japan in 2024, and will have the sam pair returning this year.
They managed to put up two legs in a group stage match against Australia last year, averaging 83.86 that game.
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Group J
Winner: Chinese Taipei
This group features the Czech Republic, Chinese Tapei and India.
The Czechs are seeded 14th in the tournament, but if Chinese Tapei can repeat their 2024 performance, they should be able to move on to the second round.
Chinese Tapei beat Lithuania and Ireland (9 seed) in 2024 to advance to the knockout stage.
They had an impressive showing against the eventual runner-up Austria pair, with a 85.53 average in a 8-4 loss.
The Czechs haven't had much success throughout the years at the World Cup, which is why I am taking Chinese Tapei because of their recent success.
Group K
Winner: Croatia
This group features Croatia, Japan and Switzerland
Croatia is looking to replicate their success in 2024.
They knocked out Wales in the second round, who were the two seed (Jim Williams played instead of Gerwyn Price).
They then lost 8-7 to Austria, almost getting a spot in the semifinal.
Croatia's Boris Krcmar has beaten some quality players like Michael van Gerwen, Josh Rock and Gian van Veen in 2025, and has also produced a couple of 100+ averages.
Boris will be partnering with Pero Ljubić for the first time after the two withdrew in 2021 in what was supposed to be their debut as a pair.
Switzerland couldn't pick up a win in 2024, although produced a 90.95 average in one of their competitive games.
Alex Fehlmann will be joining world number 111 Stefan Bellmont for Switzerland.
Japan could be competitive with Croatia if they are perfect, having some players with PDC experience at the World Championships in the last couple of years.
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Group L
Winner: New Zealand
This group features Finland, New Zealand and Argentina.
Argentina will make their debut, as they qualified for the tournament for the first time.
Finland and New Zealand were in the same group last year, with Finland going 0-2 despite being seeded 16th in 2025.
New Zealand's pair has shown in the past that they can put pressure on big names in individual events, so I will give them the edge over a misleading-seeded Finland pair.
Teemu Harju of Finland has begun to be featured in more European Tour events in 2025, but New Zealand's pair of Haupai Puha and Mark Cleaver are experienced as well, and are my pick through for Group L.
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