Iran names men’s volleyball roster for Asian Games
Iran’s men’s volleyball head coach Roberto Piazza has named a 12-man squad for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The 20th edition of the continental multi-sport event will open at Paloma Mizuho Stadium on September 19, with the indoor volleyball competition getting underway three days before the opening ceremony.
Star opposite and captain Amin Esmaeilnejad is joined by Pouria Hosseinkhanzadeh, Hossein Hajikalateh, Arshia Behnejad, Ilshan Davoudipour, Ali Hajipour, Morteza Sharifi, Ali Haqparast, Mobin Nasri, Mohammad Valizadeh, Seyyed Issa Nasseri and Yousef Kazemi in the Iranian roster.
Looking to secure a fourth successive men’s volleyball gold at the showpiece, Iran has been drawn alongside Indonesia, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan in Pool B of the 16-team event.
The Iranian team is currently in Fukuoka, Japan, for the crunch AVC Men’s Continental Championship, where the champion will qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Piazza’s side has enjoyed a flying start to the competition, beating New Zealand and India in straight sets to sit atop Pool B ahead of Wednesday’s final group game against China.
Veteran libero Mohammadreza Hazratpour, Esmaeil Mosafer and Nima Bateni will leave the squad after the Asian Championship, with middle blocker Kazemi set to depart Tehran in the coming days to join his teammates ahead of the Asian Games.