Darts sensation Luke Littler has made a special appearance at St George's Park, hosting an exclusive darts tournament for the England national football team. The reigning world champion in darts travelled to the Three Lions' training base this week, providing a masterclass and engaging in friendly competition with the squad.
Pre-World Cup Bonding and Competition
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, England manager Thomas Tuchel has gathered his players for their final training camp before the tournament. Amidst preparations for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley, the team enjoyed a light-hearted break with Littler's visit. The darts star not only shared tips but also oversaw an inter-camp tournament that saw players compete for bragging rights.
Tournament Highlights and Player Performances
In the final of the darts tournament, Manchester City's Phil Foden faced off against Newcastle United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Despite Foden hitting an impressive 180, Ramsdale emerged victorious, claiming the title. Each squad member wore custom Littler-themed shirts for the event, and a jersey swap took place as a memento. Additionally, Littler presented the team with a personalised darts board featuring the Three Lions crest and a 'Good Luck' message for the World Cup.
Littler's Reflections and Player Reactions
After the session, Luke Littler expressed his excitement, stating, "It was a dream as a football fan to come here to see the facilities, meet all the players and sit down and have dinner and have a laugh with them. We played a bit of darts - as they were warming up, Thomas Tuchel told me to teach these boys a lesson!" He praised the potential of players like Phil Foden and Aaron Ramsdale, while humorously noting others had room for improvement. Littler also shared photos on Instagram, captioning, "None of the @england lads giving me a run for my money just yet. Quality day thanks for having me. Bring on the summer."
Aaron Ramsdale added, "It was great to have Luke visit St. George's Park to meet the squad and wish us well. Personally, it was an honour for me to have the chance to step up to the oche and take on the world champion."
England's Upcoming Fixtures and World Cup Draw
Following the darts event, England will focus on their friendly matches, starting with a clash against Uruguay at Wembley on Friday evening, followed by a game against Japan on Tuesday. The team has been drawn into Group L for the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. This bonding experience with Littler is seen as a morale booster as they aim for success in the tournament.
