World Matchplay schedule to be ripped up if England make World Cup final as statement released

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England’s World Cup run could impact the latest darts major, the Professional Darts Corporation have confirmed.The prestigious World Matchplay takes place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool from July 18-26 – meaning it clashes with the World Cup final on Sunday (July 19).Luke Littler is the current World Matchplay holderGettyDouble-bookedAnd if England see off Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final, live on talkSPORT, to reach their first World Cup final since 1966, the World Matchplay schedule will be changed.A statement from the PDC on Monday read: “Should England reach the FIFA World Cup final, which is being held on Sunday night, the first three sessions of the World Matchplay will be moved forward – including the scheduled games and all tickets.“That would mean that Saturday’s opening session will be held from 1300 BST on July 18, with the previously planned Sunday afternoon session moving to Saturday night from 1900 BST.“The planned Sunday evening session would then take place on Sunday afternoon from 1300 BST.”Played in a straight legs format rather than sets, the World Matchplay has been staged annually since 1994.World champions Luke Littler beat James Wade 18-13 in last year’s final.Littler will begin the defence of his title against Niko Springer in the first round this Saturday.Crunch time for EnglandEngland are gearing up for a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final showdown with their great rivals Argentina in Atlanta.The Three Lions highlighted their resilience once more by coming from a goal down to beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in Saturday’s quarter-final.In notching both goals, Jude Bellingham became the first player to score twice or more in successive World Cup knockout games since Diego Maradona in 1986.David Beckham scored the winner the last time England played Argentina at the World CupWednesday’s match will be the sixth meeting between England and Argentina in World Cups.And so far, England have the edge, recording three wins to the reigning world champions’ two.However, Argentina have won the two knockout encounters between the countries.In 1986, Diego Maradona wowed and enraged in almost equal measure, producing the ‘Goal of the Century’ and the ‘Hand of God’ as Argentina triumphed 2-1 in the quarter-finals en route to lifting the trophy.Then in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup, 18-year-old Michael Owen dazzled with his stunning solo goal – only for Argentina to eventually advance on penalties after David Beckham’s infamous red card for kicking out at Diego Simeone.But Beckham redeemed himself in England’s most recent competitive clash with Argentina, dispatching a match-winning penalty in the Three Lions’ opening game of the 2002 World Cup.