Jenny Segers/PDC Europe

Josh Rock & Daryl Gurney's World Cup of Darts title sees Northern Ireland become just the 6th different nation to win

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 11:13 AM ET

In one of the most dramatic World Cup finals in recent memory, Northern Ireland claimed their maiden World Cup of Darts title with a nail-biting 10-9 victory over Wales. Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney held their nerve in a tense decider to etch their names into darting history — and deliver Northern Ireland its first ever triumph on the global stage.

Their win makes Northern Ireland just the sixth nation to lift the World Cup since the tournament began in 2010. Until now, only England, the Netherlands, Scotland, Wales and Australia had managed to take home the title — with the first four all enjoying multiple victories.

It was the Dutch duo of Raymond van Barneveld and Co Stompé who won the inaugural edition back in 2010, starting a golden era for the Netherlands. Van Barneveld would go on to claim the trophy three more times alongside Michael van Gerwen, making them one of the most formidable pairings in the tournament’s history.

England’s first success came in 2012, thanks to the legendary pairing of Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis. They went on to win three more titles together, and in 2024, the team of Luke Humphries and Michael Smith added a fifth crown for England — keeping them top of the all-time honours list.

Scotland’s breakthrough came in 2019 with Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, who guided their nation to a long-awaited title. Two years later, Wright returned to the winners' circle, this time teaming up with John Henderson for a second Scottish triumph.

Wales lifted the trophy for the first time in 2020, with Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton forming a formidable duo. That same pairing secured a second title in 2023 and came agonisingly close to a third this year — only to be denied at the final hurdle by a determined Northern Irish side.

For Rock and Gurney, it’s a career-defining moment and one that sends a clear message: Northern Ireland are no longer just contenders — they’re champions.

First players to win the PDC World Cup for their country

Raymond van Barneveld and Co Stompe
Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis
Peter Wright and Gary Anderson
Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton
Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta
(NI) Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney
— Weekly Dartscast (@WeeklyDartscast) June 15, 2025