Iran volleyball team gears up for World Championship in PH

The Iranian men's volleyball team, ranked No. 13 globally and second-highest in Asia, is preparing to compete in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship hosted in the Philippines.

Led by Asia's Best Opposite spiker Amin Esmaeilnezhad, the young Team Melli has an average age of 23.8 years and an average height of 6-foot-5.

Key players include former AVC Best Setter Javad Karimi, with Italian coach Roberto Piazza guiding the team.

Iran aims to improve from a ninth-place result in the last Volleyball Nations League, a better finish from their 15th-place result in VNL 2024.

The team honed their skills through overseas training camps in preparation for the championship.

Iran's final Pool A match is scheduled against the Philippines' Alas Pilipinas on September 18.

The championship will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with an opening ceremony featuring K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR.