Willie O’Connor has put the World Cup of Darts format back under the microscope after branding one of its central seeding rules “absolutely rubbish” during Ireland’s opening night in Frankfurt.
The Republic of Ireland made the start they needed on Thursday, with O’Connor and Mickey Mansell beating Singapore 4-1 in Group D. Yet the wider structure of the tournament clearly remains a frustration for the Limerick thrower, because Ireland are among the seeded nations still required to come through the group phase.
According to talkSPORT, O’Connor took aim at the rule that sends only the top four seeds straight into the second round, while the other 12 seeded sides have to begin in three-team groups. England, Netherlands, defending champions Northern Ireland and Scotland are the four teams given a bye into the last 16.
O’Connor criticism lands during Ireland’s opening win
O’Connor’s complaint is not difficult to understand from a player’s point of view. Ireland are seeded eighth for this year’s World Cup, but instead of being protected until the knockout stage they must navigate Group D, first against Singapore and then against Gibraltar.
The Gibraltar fixture has its own unusual backdrop. Gibraltar entered the event after Uganda were forced out when Patrick Ocheng and Juma Said were denied visas for Germany. Malawi were also unable to step in, leaving Craig Galliano and Justin Hewitt to take the vacant place in Frankfurt.
That means Ireland are now one win away from joining the four top seeds in the second round, but O’Connor’s broader point is about consistency. If the event recognises 16 seeds, he argues, it jars that only four are spared the hazards of the short-format group stage.
World Cup format keeps producing debate
The counter-argument is that the World Cup’s current shape creates exactly the jeopardy fans tune in for. Forty nations are involved at the Eissporthalle from June 11-14, with 12 group winners progressing to meet the four teams already waiting in the last 16.
Every match is played as doubles, which naturally increases volatility. Group-stage matches are best of seven legs, so one cold spell on doubles can be enough to undo a seeded team. Belgium found that out on opening night, losing 4-2 to Hong Kong, while 2022 champions Australia were also beaten 4-3 by the USA.
For the PDC, that jeopardy is part of the product. For players such as O’Connor, it is also a reminder that the gap between being seeded and being properly protected is significant. Ireland’s job is still clear enough: beat Gibraltar and the debate becomes a live knockout-stage talking point rather than an early exit excuse.
Why fans will have a view
This is the kind of argument darts supporters usually enjoy because both sides have a case. The World Cup needs elite names in the latter rounds, particularly with a £500,000 prize fund and £100,000 going to the winners. It also needs nights like Thursday, when Hong Kong and the USA proved the group stage can bite.
O’Connor has earned the right to speak on it. He has represented Ireland at the World Cup year after year and reached the 2019 final with Steve Lennon. His criticism, whether fans agree with it or not, comes from a player who knows how unforgiving this tournament can be.
Ireland have done the first part of the job. Now the format O’Connor dislikes gives them no room to drift.
Sources
- talkSPORT report on Willie O’Connor’s comments
- Official PDC World Cup of Darts preview
- Live Darts World Cup schedule and results
Suggested internal links
- World Cup of Darts latest results and schedule
- Luke Littler and Luke Humphries England World Cup coverage