Iran volleyball eyes VNL 2026 glory as grueling 70-day world tour unveiled

Tehran - BORNA - The national squad began its intensive training on May 1 in Tehran and is scheduled to depart for Ankara, Turkey, on May 20 for a key preparatory camp. Head coach Roberto Piazza, alongside his technical staff and European-based legionnaires, will join the team in Turkey to finalize the roster before the official tournament begins. The preliminary phase of the 2026 VNL involves 18 elite nations, including reigning champions and powerhouses such as Poland, France, and Japan, all competing for a spot in the final eight.

The journey officially begins in Brasilia, Brazil, where Iran will face the hosts on June 10, followed by matches against Bulgaria, Argentina, and Belgium throughout the first week. Following the opening round, the team will relocate to Serbia for a mid-tournament training camp before heading to Orleans, France, for the second week of action. In France, the "Team Melli" will face some of its toughest challenges, including matches against the Olympic champions France, the United States, Japan, and Cuba between June 24 and June 28.

For the final week of the preliminary stage, the Iranian squad returns to Belgrade, Serbia, to take on Ukraine, Germany, Slovenia, and Turkey from July 15 to July 19. If Iran successfully secures a position among the top eight teams in the overall standings, the delegation will travel directly to China to compete in the VNL Final Phase, which is slated to run from July 27 to August 2. This marathon campaign, which spans over two months of travel and high-level competition, represents a critical opportunity for Iranian volleyball to reassert its standing among the world’s elite programs.

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