Luke Littler is hoping England make light work of Panama on Saturday night, because he wants to leave the World Cup match early.
The teenage darts sensation will be at the MetLife Stadium for the Three Lions’ final Group L fixture after being invited by FIFA, but already has one eye on another sporting event taking place later in the evening.
Littler is also due at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for a boxing card and admits he is desperate for Thomas Tuchel’s side to put the result beyond doubt as quickly as possible.
The 19-year-old joked that an emphatic England victory would allow him to beat the traffic and make it across New York in time.
“I am hoping we can go three or four nil up so I can ‘back-door it’ and miss the traffic because I’ve got to go to the Barclays Center to watch the boxing,” Littler said.
England head into the Panama clash needing a victory to guarantee top spot in Group L, though a draw would also likely be enough to finish above Ghana and Croatia.
Littler has already enjoyed success on the international stage this summer.
Luke Littler is hoping England make light work of Panama on Saturday night, because he wants to leave the World Cup match early
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GETTY
Alongside Luke Humphries, he guided England to victory in the World Cup of Darts in Germany earlier this month, defeating the Netherlands in the final.
Now he wants the national football team to follow suit.
“Me and Luke have done our job and now it is down to the England boys,” Littler said.
Five things to know about darts star Luke Littler | GB NEWS/GETTY
“We are obviously massive football fans.
“Is it coming home? We don’t know just yet, but hopefully we can get that win on Saturday.”
The back-to-back world champion has built a close relationship with England’s squad in recent months.
He visited Tuchel’s camp in March, helping organise the ‘Three Lions Darts Championship’ as players competed against one another during the international break.
Littler was then rewarded with tickets to the World Cup by FIFA.
The Warrington teenager has also enjoyed seeing darts culture embraced by England supporters in North America.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries were outstanding as England won the World Cup of Darts | GETTY
Thousands of fans packed Madison Square Garden for the World Series of Darts this week, where Littler finished runner-up to Humphries on Friday night.
England’s opening 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas also had a familiar soundtrack.
The Football Association selected the iconic darts anthem “Chase the Sun” as one of the songs to be played whenever England score at the tournament.
It rang around the stadium several times against Croatia and Littler hopes to hear it again against Panama.
“I didn’t have any part in it being chosen, but it’s good to see,” he added.
“It’s the main song in darts and hopefully we can score a few goals and celebrate.”
