Philippines faces Iran in FIVB World Volleyball Champ; games start Sept 12

The Philippines will face Iran, led by Amin Esmaeilnezhad, Asia's top opposite spiker, in the FIVB Men's World Volleyball Championship from September 12 to 28 at Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Alas Pilipinas opens its campaign against Tunisia on September 12, followed by matches against Egypt and Iran on September 16 and 18 respectively.

Iran's team, ranked 13th globally and second in Asia, includes seasoned players like Amin Esmaeilnezhad alongside younger talent with an average age of 23.8 years.

The Iranian squad has trained abroad and will hold a camp in Doha before arriving in Manila for tune-up matches against Slovenia on September 9 and Germany on September 10.

Iran's roster features notable players such as Javad Karimi, Ali Hajipour, Morteza Sharifi, Amirhossein Esfandiar, and Ali Haghparast under Italian coach Roberto Piazza.