World Championship Quarterfinals: Iran Eyes Historic Semifinal Spot

Tehran - BORNA - On the second day of the 2025 FIVB World Championship quarterfinals in the Philippines, Iran’s national volleyball team will face the Czech Republic in a decisive clash that could mark a new chapter in the country’s volleyball history.

Roberto Piazza’s men take the court at 11:00 a.m. local time on Thursday in what is considered one of the most pivotal matches ever for Iranian volleyball. A victory would propel Iran into the semifinals of the World Championship for the first time, surpassing its previous best result — a sixth-place finish in 2014.

Despite overcoming Serbia in a dramatic five-set battle to reach the last eight, head coach Piazza voiced dissatisfaction with his squad’s overall performance, describing it as below the standard he expects. The Italian coach stressed that while Iran has the potential to play at a higher level, the players have yet to fully grasp his tactical vision. He urged the team to recover quickly and approach the Czech Republic encounter with discipline and intelligence.

Historically, Iran has struggled against the Czechs. In their last meeting at the 2023 Olympic qualifiers, the Czech Republic triumphed 3–1. Earlier, in 2006, Iran suffered a straight-set defeat. Thursday’s clash offers Iran a chance to secure its first-ever victory over the European side — and to break into the tournament’s elite four.

The full schedule for the second day of quarterfinals is as follows:

Iran vs. Czech Republic — 11:00 a.m.

United States vs. Bulgaria — 3:30 p.m.

A win would not only end Iran’s drought against the Czech Republic but also seal a historic semifinal berth, cementing the 2025 championship as a milestone in Iranian volleyball.

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