Iran looking to carry CAVA momentum into Women’s Nations Cup
Iran’s women’s volleyball national team will look to build on last week’s CAVA Championship title when it opens its AVC Women’s Nations Cup campaign against Indonesia in Candon, Philippines, today.
The Iranian side, which has been away from the country since April 21 as part of an unprecedented preparatory program amid the regional conflict, defeated Kazakhstan in four sets in Kathmandu, Nepal, to secure back-to-back CAVA trophies.
The triumph continued the team’s upward trajectory over the past 12 months, following its historic 2025 CAVA title – the country’s first international gold medal since the launch of the women’s national team program in 1963 – as well as a bronze medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games.
South Korean head coach Lee Do-hee’s side steps into today’s opener fresh off victories against the Philippines in back-to-back three-set warm-up friendlies this week. Iran won the first match in straight sets (25-23, 26-24, 25-21) before prevailing again on Thursday (26-24, 25-27, 25-9) – statement results against the team that made the podium at the previous two editions of the Nations Cup, with bronze in 2024 and silver in 2025.
Today’s Pool B opener against Indonesia marks a rematch of the teams’ two meetings at last year’s tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam. Iran won a five-set thriller in the pool stage before suffering a 3-1 defeat in the classification round and ultimately settling for sixth place.
Lee’s side will then face 2022 champion Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, and defending three-time champion Vietnam before taking on Lebanon in its final group-stage match on June 12.
Iran also faced Kazakhstan in Hanoi, falling in four sets during the pool stage.
Formerly known as the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup, this year’s tournament features 12 of Asia’s top women’s national teams outside those competing in the Volleyball Nations League. In addition to competing for the continental title, teams will seek valuable FIVB Volleyball World Ranking points and potentially strengthen their chances of qualifying for the VNL and other top-tier competitions.
The Philippines headlines Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei – bronze medalist in the 2023 and 2025 editions – Australia, which reached the semifinals in 2024, Uzbekistan, which finished fourth in 2022, and tournament newcomers South Korea and Kyrgyzstan.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals, with the final scheduled to take place at Candon City Arena on June 14.