Gerywn Price has pulled out of competing for Wales at the World Cup of Darts this summer, just days after revealing a worrying health battle
Gerwyn Price will NOT represent Wales at the World Cup of Darts this summer.
‘The Iceman’, who is ranked eighth in the PDC Order of Merit, has made himself unavailable for selection, leaving Nick Kenny to join an in-form Jonny Clayton at the tournament in mid-June.
Price and Clayton reached the World Cup final in 2025. They battled past Philippines, Hong Kong and Netherlands to reach the showpiece event and go head-to-head against Northern Ireland.
But Price and Clayton were beaten by Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney in the final, denying Wales their third World Cup title since the competition was established 16 years ago.
Although Luke Littler and Luke Humphries go into the 2026 tournament as overwhelming favourites for England, Price and Clayton would have put Wales as third seed.
However, Price’s omission and a call-up for world No.60 Kenny has moved Wales down to seventh, meaning they will have to go through the group round one qualifiers.
It’s the second time in three years that Caerphilly arrowsmith Price hasn’t competed at the World Cup, after the Welshman pulled out with Jim Williams taking his spot.
Last week, Price revealed a concerning health update following a crushing Premier League defeat to Wales teammate Clayton in Leeds. “My focus is there, it’s just health-wise I am not in a great place at the moment. But I am battling on and searching for some results,” said Price.
“Hopefully in the next couple of weeks they will come and they will put me at ease. Then I will be able to enjoy darts again. Frustrating times. Time to rely on Lady Luck and see what happens over the next two weeks. Hopefully make the play-offs, but I need a lot of luck to go my way. Hopefully see you at the O2. It’s not good playing once a week and hopefully I get the results I want in three weeks’ time.
“This year has been great in the Premier League and it’s been a great start to the season. The crowd has got me through a lot of games but sometimes things happen you can’t control.”
Price, who pulled out of competing at the Austrian Open on the weekend, has enjoyed a stellar start to the season, winning on the floor and the European Tour.
Although the 2021 world champion hasn’t made a major final in three years, he has shown glimpses in the Premier League this term and is on course to make the play-offs. But on Thursday evening, the 41-year-old’s ambitions of playing at London’s O2 Arena were dealt a blow as he was defeated 6-2 by Clayton.
This loss means Price has 21 points with two weeks left and sits in third, but Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen are all in striking distance.
Price is next expected to compete in the Premier League on Night 15 in Birmingham this Thursday. It’s the penultimate week of the regular campaign, before the semi-finals at the O2.
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