Ricardo Pietreczko still has a lot to do at this Darts World Championship. Already last year as the best German in the round of 16 and after his first round win against Jose De Sousa with a 6-2 record at Alexandra Palace, a lot seems possible for the 31-year-old at the 2026 World Cup.
“I’m here to win this tournament. Why not this year?” he says. Self-confidence that is needed to achieve great things. Self-confidence, which he also shows when it comes to other topics – such as the game plan.
“I don’t think it’s okay that the PDC can choose freely,” criticized the German number two after their opening victory. He dislikes the extremely different lengths of breaks between the first and second rounds.
Compatriot Arno Merk, for example, played the opening match of this World Cup on December 11th against Kim Huybrechts, but will not be called upon again until December 23rd. A big difference to Pietreczko’s timing. At number 33 in the world rankings there are only four. “Arno has twelve days between his matches. I have to play again on the 20th. That’s not quite right.”
It’s not often that players criticize the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). If anything, this is reserved for top stars with strong opinions like Michael van Gerwen or Gerwyn Price.
Pietreczko wants the Darts World Cup in Germany
But Pietreczko doesn’t hide his opinion, he never has. He already proved in 2024 that he is not afraid of big names when he reprimanded Luke Littler for his behavior on stage and on the board. As a result, he polarizes and receives applause and shaking of the head.
He also has a suggestion for changes when it comes to the World Cup venue. Next year’s move from the West Hall to the much larger Great Hall of Alexandra Palace “I think is urgently necessary. The tickets went away very quickly again this year.” Not even all PDC-TV subscribers could have made use of their right to pre-purchase, Pietreczko correctly pointed out.
However, he would prefer a rolling system. “The World Cup should perhaps not always take place in the Ally Pally, but in the country of the reigning world champion. I would have no problem with that. Then perhaps we would have it in Germany at some point.” Ideally with him as defending champion.
If Lutz Wöckener Not exactly trying out any sport on his own, he writes about darts and sports politics, but sometimes also about offbeat things like football.
Darts World Cup 2026, results, 1st round
- Alan Soutar (SCO) – Teemu Harju (FIN) 3:2 nV (3:0, 3:0, 2:3, 2:3, 5:4)
- Nick Kenny (WAL) – Justin Hood (ENG) 0:3 (0:3, 2:3, 2:3)
- Scott Williams (ENG) – Paolo Nebrida (PHI) 3:0 (3:1, 3:0, 3:1)
- Chris Dobey (ENG/8) – Xiaochen Zong (CHN) 3:1 (3:0, 1:3, 3:1, 3:1)
- Ricardo Pietreczko (D) – Jose De Sousa (POR) 3:1 (3:2, 3:2, 2:3, 3:1)
- Danny Noppert (NED/6) – Jurjen van der Velde (NED) 3:1 (3:2, 1:3, 3:2, 3:0)
- Gerwyn Price (Wall/9) – Adam Gaulas (CZE) 3: 0 (3: 0, 3: 2, 3: 0)
- Niko Springer (D) – Joe Comito (AUS) 1:3 (2:3, 3:1, 0:3, 2:3)
