No reunion for ‘Golden Gen’ as Piazza names provisional squad
There will be no return to the national team for the veteran trio from the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ of the Iranian volleyball as head coach Roberto Piazza unveiled a provisional roster for the two major international events later in the year.
The Italian named a 42-man squad for the upcoming Volleyball Nations League and September’s Asian Championship in Fukuoka, Japan, with none of outside-hitter Milad Ebadipour, middle-blocker Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi, and opposite-spiker Amir Ghafour recieving a call-up.
Both tournaments hold considerable weight for Iranian volleyball, impacting the team’s global rankings and the qualification path to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Recent speculation had suggested a first international call-up for the trio under Piazza, but the Italian seems to be prioritizing the development and integration of younger talent in his second year in charge.
Piazza guided Iran to an eighth-place finish in the VNL 16-team preliminary table last year with six wins from 12 matches, before his team progressed to the quarterfinals at the World Championship in the Philippines.
“I don’t really expect Piazza to call me up,” Ebadipour, who made his senior international debut in 2014, had said in February.
“I think Piazza wants to continue with the same squad from 2025. The issue of confidence comes into play – he wouldn’t want it to be perceived that he doesn’t trust his current team, nor would he want to appear to be turning back to more experienced players. That’s why I believe he will stick with the same group from last year.”
Iran will look to secure its first VNL quarterfinal berth in four years when it opens its campaign against South American powerhouse Brazil on June 10.
Piazza’s men will also chase a fifth Asian title in eight editions from September 4.
Beyond continental glory, additional incentive awaits in Fukuoka as the tournament winner will secure direct qualification to Los Angeles Games.
Another 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.