Sitting Volleyball World Ch’ships:
LA 2028 spots on offer as Iran men, women learn draw
Iran’s men’s and women’s teams will be chasing qualification spots for the LA 2028 Paralympics when they begin their campaigns at the upcoming Sitting Volleyball World Championships, which start on July 10 in Hangzhou, China.
The draw for the 14th edition of the global showpiece took place this week, with 16 teams divided into four groups in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
Reigning world and Paralympic champion Iran will be the clear favorite in the men’s competition, beginning its bid for a record-extending ninth title against Poland in Pool D.
A second-day clash between familiar foes Iran and Bosnia & Herzegovina will bring together the finalists from both the Paris 2024 Paralympics and the previous World Championships in 2022.
Iran will conclude the group stage against Japan on July 12.
In the other men’s groups, host China has been pitted against two-time silver medalist Germany, Canada, and Thailand in Pool A, while Egypt, the United States, Ukraine, and Rwanda make up Pool B.
Brazil, bronze medalist at the previous two editions, is joined by Kazakhstan, Croatia, and Iraq in Pool C.
In the women’s competition, Iran will open its Pool A campaign against Rwanda on the opening day before taking on Kenya and China – the silver medalist at Paris 2024 – on the following days, respectively.
Paralympic champion United States, Germany, Ukraine, and the Netherlands are in Pool B, while Paralympic bronze medalist Canada, Slovenia, Japan, and Hungary will battle for knockout-stage places in Pool C.
Brazil will begin its title defense in Pool D against European champion Italy, France, and Thailand.
The men’s and women’s champions in Hangzhou will secure their places at the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.