Iranian libero Hazratpour sets sights on Olympic quota
Iranian libero Mohammadreza Hazratpour has declared that securing a quota for the Olympic Games is the primary objective for the national volleyball team ahead of a hectic international season.
Iran’s 30-man squad, featuring domestic league players, began a training camp on Friday in Tehran for the upcoming FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League, which will start with a daunting test against Brazil in Brasília on June 10.
Italian head coach Roberto 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 L.A. 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 vie for a fourth consecutive men’s gold medal.
Speaking on the sidelines of the second session of the preparatory camp, Hazratpour expressed optimism about the team’s condition and outlining the high-stakes season ahead.
“We started our training on Friday,” Hazratpour said. “Although we have been away from action and training for about two months, fortunately, all the players have entered the camp with excellent physical fitness and high morale.”
The libero emphasized the significance of the upcoming year and the team’s ultimate goal. “We have a very important and difficult year ahead of us. In these critical circumstances, everyone must work hand in hand to first secure the Olympic quota, and then achieve the best possible results in international competitions,” he added.
Hazratpour also spoke about his personal readiness, stating he feels more motivated and energetic than last year. “We have decisive tournaments ahead, such as the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and the Asian Championship, which represent the chance to qualify for the Olympics.”
the veteran libero noted that despite some damage to the national team’s training hall – caused by the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes – the decision was made to stay in the capital. “Initially, there was a plan to hold the camp in the northern city of Noor, but considering the centralized facilities in Tehran – including the training hall, gym, and restaurant – we preferred to continue our training here. I hope bright days await Iranian volleyball.”
The training camp will run until May 20.
Tricky tests will come thick and fast in Week 1 of the VNL preliminaries for Piazza’s men, who will take on Bulgaria – finalists at last September’s World Championships – on June 11, before facing Argentina and Belgium later in the Brazilian capital.
Iran will then visit Orléans, France, for the second week of action, starting with a mammoth task against the host and reigning Olympic champion France at the CO’Met Arena 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 the Asian powerhouse go head-to-head with Ukraine in Belgrade on July 15, with further tests against Germany (July 16), Slovenia (July 17), and Turkey
(July 19).