Asia’s best opposite spiker Amin Esmaeilnezhad will headline a youthful Iran squad when they clash with the Philippines’ Alas Pilipinas in Pool A of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Volleyball Championship at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Alas Pilipinas will open the world championship on September 12 against Tunisia, followed by an electrifying opening ceremony featuring K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR. The Filipinos’ final pool match is scheduled against Iran on September 18 at 5:30 p.m., capping their preliminary round campaign.

Esmaeilnezhad spearheads rising Iran squad

At 28 years old, Esmaeilnezhad brings veteran presence to a youthful Iran lineup that averages 23.8 years in age and 6-foot-5 in height. Team Melli, ranked No. 13 in the world and second in Asia behind Japan, continues its steady climb in the global standings under Italian coach Roberto Piazza.

Orchestrating the plays is setter Javad Karimi, a former Asian Volleyball Confederation Best Setter. Alongside Esmaeilnezhad, Iran features firepower from opposite spiker Ali Hajipour and outside hitters Morteza Sharifi, Amirhossein Esfandiar, and Ali Haghparast.

Iran, which has risen three spots in the world rankings since July, is preparing for Manila with a week-long training camp in Doha, where it faces Egypt and Qatar in tune-up games. The three-time defending Asian Games champions will then travel early to the Philippines for friendlies against Slovenia on September 9 and Germany on September 10.

Iran’s buildup ahead of Manila campaign

Setters Ali Ramazani and Arshia Behnezhad, outside hitters Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh and Ehsan Daneshdoust, along with middle blockers Mohammad Valizadeh, Eisa Naseri, Yousef Kazemi, and Nima Bateni, complete the core of Iran’s roster. Liberos Arman Salehi and Mohammadreza Hazratpour provide defensive stability.

Both Iran and Alas Pilipinas trained overseas in preparation for the world championship. The Iranians’ strong buildup follows their ninth-place finish in the recent Volleyball Nations League, a major improvement from 15th place in 2024.

The tournament is staged at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PAGCOR, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and major partners including Rebisco, PLDT, SMART, Meralco, Honda Philippines, and Mizuno. The competition is officially sanctioned by the FIVB and partnered with Volleyball World.