Gian van Veen is set to partner Michael van Gerwen for the very first time at the World Cup of Darts, and the young Dutchman admits the pressure is on. Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, missed the 2022 and 2023 editions but returned in 2024 for a disappointing round two exit. He then opted out again in 2025, handing van Veen his debut alongside Danny Noppert. Now, with van Gerwen back in the fold, van Veen finds himself as the higher-ranked player — world number three — making him the team’s captain, an unusual role for ‘Mighty Mike’.
“On ranking, yes. On persona, no,” van Veen said of being the number one. “It’s a tournament I played in last year with Danny Noppert, and I loved every leg and every match on that stage. I’m really looking forward to getting back there. This year, of course, it’s going to be very different with Michael. Danny and I know each other’s games inside out and know each other really well. With Michael it’s going to be different, but I still think we’re going to click on that stage. We’re going to do really well and hopefully on Sunday evening we’ll be lifting that trophy.”
The pair will not take to the stage until Saturday, after the group phase, as they hunt for World Cup glory — the Netherlands’ first since 2018. Van Veen, who won the European Championship and reached the final of the PDC World Darts Championship (where he was beaten by Luke Littler), has seen his form dip recently. He hopes to rediscover his best game alongside van Gerwen, knowing the stakes are high for their future partnership.
“If Michael didn’t fancy it, he could easily have pulled out because that’s what he’s done in the past couple of years,” van Veen stated. “He said to me, ‘I don’t know what it’s like to play with you, so I want to give that a go.’ He also told me today that he’s really looking forward to it. Hopefully it’s going to be a great weekend next week. But I know that if Michael and I are allowed to play together again next year and he pulls out, then I didn’t do well enough this weekend. So there’ll be some pressure, but I’m just going to enjoy it and hopefully it’s going to be a great one.”