Gerwyn Price has been ruled out of the 2024 World Cup of Darts – with Jim Williams replacing him in the Wales team.
Fans reacted with dismay to the announcement that ‘the Iceman’ will be unable to compete in Frankfurt this weekend because of health issues. Price, 39, was set to team up with Jonny Clayton – gunning for glory for the third time.
He partnered Clayton to victory over Scotland in last year’s final, their second World Cup title after also beating England to victory in 2020, and had been due to compete again in the doubles event, where many considered them favourites.
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But the world No 4 has since been ruled out of this week’s tournament in Frankfurt, live on Sky Sports, with Williams, 39, standing in for him. Price said: “I’m massively disappointed that I’m having to miss the World Cup and I always love representing Wales.
“I wish Jonny and Jim Williams the best of luck this weekend and hopefully they can bring back the title again!” Williams has received the late call-up as the next highest-ranked Welsh player from the PDC Order of Merit. It will be his World Cup debut.
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Disappointed darts fans reacted to the news online, with one posting on X, formerly Twitter, simply “NOOOOOOO”. Another fan posted: “Gutted for gezzy but great opportunity for Jim! Hope he takes it.” And a third said: “Jim Williams is a solid replacement but a shame Price wont be there.”
Under PDC Rules, with the World Cup of Darts draw having been made for the group stage, Wales retain their status as the second seeds and will enter the event in Saturday’s second round at the Eissporthalle. It is split across two sessions on Saturday before the quarter-finals take place on Sunday afternoon.
The top four ranked nations receive a bye through the first round, based on the lowest cumulative PDC Order of Merit ranking of the two competing players, while the remaining 36 teams will be split into 12 groups of three and only the winners progress to the last 16. The tournament culminates in the semi-finals and final on Sunday evening, with the eventual champions taking away a combined £80,000 in prize money.
Top seeds and four-time champions England will be represented by world champion Luke Humphries – making his World Cup debut – and Michael Smith, but Luke Littler will not feature because the two highest-ranked English players in the PDC Order of Merit are picked.