The second day of the World Cup of Darts produced a remarkable moment for Thailand, with Rodman drawing attention in an unexpected way.
During the match, Rodman was involved in an incident that left observers momentarily puzzled by what had just happened. However, that was only the beginning. Moments later, the Thai player found himself in the spotlight once again, this time through another unusual episode that brought him even greater attention than he had likely anticipated.
A score of 4 followed by a 171 to leave double 1
This is why I love the World Cup 😂 pic.twitter.com/Jtt7e1D3wl
— DartsAnonymous (@anonymous_darts) June 12, 2026
The World Cup of Darts is well known for delivering memorable and often unexpected moments. Unlike many other major PDC events, the tournament features players from a wide range of nations, including competitors who rarely appear on television throughout the regular season.
That was also the case for Thailand’s pairing, who faced Wales during the group stage. While the Thai representatives may be unfamiliar to many fans, their Welsh opponents included a far more recognizable face on the international darts circuit.
Group Stage Determines Second-Round Line-Up
The opening days of the tournament are dedicated to the group stage, with the four highest-seeded nations receiving automatic byes into the second round.
Those top-seeded countries are:
England
The Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Having secured direct qualification, these nations awaited the outcome of the group stage before learning their opponents for the knockout rounds.
Saturday marks the beginning of the second round, and the match-ups have now been confirmed. The Netherlands, represented by Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen, will face Sweden, a team that includes Jeffrey de Graaf.
The remaining second-round fixtures are:
England vs Spain
Northern Ireland vs Belgium
Scotland vs Norway
Ireland vs Poland
Latvia vs France
Wales vs United States
Germany vs Czech Republic
Evolution of the Tournament Format
The World Cup of Darts has undergone significant changes over the years, both in terms of the number of participating nations and the structure of matches.
In earlier editions, ties featured a combination of singles matches and doubles encounters. This format introduced a strategic element, with teams carefully considering player selection and match order. It also produced memorable behind-the-scenes scenes, as teammates passionately supported one another while watching from the sidelines.
Today, however, the format is far more straightforward. The tournament is contested exclusively through doubles matches, meaning every battle for national pride is fought together on stage. The emphasis is now firmly on teamwork, chemistry, and a nation’s ability to perform as a united pair under pressure.
As the knockout stage begins, the focus will not only be on the tournament favorites but also on emerging nations and players capable of producing the kind of unforgettable moments that have already made this year’s event stand out.