Three-way battle for Iran’s opposite spot heats up ahead of VNL
The three-horse race for Iran’s opposite-spiker position is set to heat up in the coming weeks as the country gears up for a congested international volleyball season.
Italian head coach Roberto Piazza has named a provisional roster for the upcoming FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL), with prolific trio Amin Esmaeilnejad, Ali Hajipour, and Bardia Saadat selected for the opposite role.
In his first year in charge, Piazza initially placed his trust in Esmaeilnejad, who repaid that faith with a standout performance in the VNL, cementing himself as Piazza’s first-choice option.
Alongside him, Saadat made cameo contributions as Esmaeilnejad’s backup during the VNL campaign and delivered an impressive showing.
However, an unexpected injury to Esmaeilnejad on the eve of September’s World Championship altered the equation. Saadat, who had earlier been dropped from the roster, was recalled to the camp and became one of Iran’s two primary options for the tournament alongside Hajipour.
Hajipour emerged as Piazza’s top choice at the world event as anticipated, as Iran made it to the quarterfinals before being knocked out by Czechia. With an impressive performance, he was widely regarded as one of Iran’s best players in the competition. The display significantly boosted the coaching staff’s confidence in him, establishing Hajipour as a key figure for the team’s future.
Now, ahead of the 2026 season, competition for the critical opposite role has entered a more serious phase. Having recovered from his injury, Esmaeilnejad is seeking to return to his best and regain the coach’s trust. On the other side, Hajipour boasts a strong position backed by his successful run with Foolad Sirjan in the Iranian top-flight league, while Saadat – coming off a productive club season in Turkey – is highly motivated to secure his place in the starting lineup.
Adding to the mix, emerging Iranian talent Amirmohammad Golzadeh has thrown his name into contention as a new challenger. After a notable season in Italy’s Serie A with M&G Pallavolo, the young prospect now aims to challenge his more experienced rivals and earn a spot on the national team’s final roster for the Nations League – setting the stage for a heated and decisive battle over this key position.
Iran will look to secure its first VNL quarterfinal berth in four years when it opens its campaign against South American heavyweight Brazil in Brasília on June 10, followed by tricky tests against Bulgaria, Argentina and Belgium in Week 1 of the preliminary stage.
The Asian powerhouse will then visit Orléans, France, for the second week of action, starting with a mammoth task against the host and reigning Olympic champion France on June 24. This will be followed by matches against the United States (June 25), Japan (June 26), and Cuba (June 28).
The third and final week of the preliminaries will see Iran go head-to-head with Ukraine in Belgrade on July 15, with further tests against Germany (July 16), Slovenia (July 17), and Türkiye (July 19).
The top eight teams in the 18-team standings will progress to the VNL Finals, which will begin in Ningbo Beilun, China, on July 29. China is already guaranteed a place in the quarterfinals as the host.
Piazza’s men will also chase a fifth Asian Championship title in eight editions from September 4 in in Fukuoka, Japan.
Beyond continental glory, additional incentive awaits in Fukuoka as the tournament winner will secure direct qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
A potential showdown between Iran and Japan could follow at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which begin on September 19, where Piazza’s side will be chasing a fourth consecutive men’s gold medal.