The Iranian men's national volleyball team has started its preparation for the World Championship, which will be held in the Philippines between September 12 and 28, 2025. Head coach Roberto Piazza kicked off the training camp with several key changes in the squad and the captaincy.
According to information shared by journalist Jakub Balcerzak on the social network X (formerly Twitter), Milad Ebadipour will not be part of the team for the world competition. His absence stands out strongly, given his role in the last decade and his vast international experience.
🏐 Ebadipour's absence - significant and recurring
Outside hitter Milad Ebadipour, well-known to Polish fans from his time at PGE Skra Bełchatów, and since 2024 a player for Steam Hemarpol Norwid Częstochowa, was also not included in the expanded squad of 40 players before the Nations League.
The decision of the Italian specialist Piazza even then raised questions, and its repetition before the World Championship further fuels speculation as to whether it is due to sports-technical reasons or personal disagreements.
👑 New Captain: Morteza Sharifi
In Ebadipour's absence, Morteza Sharifi, also an outside hitter, has been appointed as Iran's new captain. He is expected to be one of the leaders both in attack and as a mentor for younger players.
Sharifi already has significant experience in international matches, but this is the first time he will assume the role of official captain for the most important tournament in the calendar.
📊 Iran's Performance in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Ranking | 9th place |
| Points won | 19 |
| Matches played | 12 |
| Wins | 6 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Wins against | Argentina, Bulgaria, Netherlands, etc. |
Iran was on the verge of the final eight, having decisively defeated our national team 3-0 in the last match, denying Bulgaria the chance to qualify for the finals. After that, the draw decided that Iran would not be among the top eight in China. Piazza's team demonstrated stable form with an even balance of wins and losses. Their performance against Poland – the future champions – was particularly impressive, where the Iranians reached a tie-break, although they couldn't fight for the win.
🥇 How the Nations League ended
| Place | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Poland |
| 2 | Italy |
| 3 | Brazil |
The trio of Poland–Italy–Brazil confirmed their dominant status in men's volleyball. Iran's performance against these powers shows that the team has the potential to intervene more seriously in the battle for medals at major forums, provided they eliminate instability in critical moments.
🔎 World Championship Expectations
As the championship in the Philippines approaches, where Iran is in a relatively easy group with Egypt, Tunisia, and the host, the big question remains: can Iran compensate for Ebadipour's absence and break into the Top 8? The team has a good mix of experience and young talents, and being led by a coach with a European mentality like Piazza could prove to be a decisive factor.
Sharifi will play an important role both on and off the court. If he can lead the team with zeal and stability, Iran could surprise more than one favorite at the upcoming World Cup.
photo:siatka.org and X
