John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Amin Esmaeilnezhad of Iran. Photo from Kimberly Pauig via PNVF

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756198657255486594672_1079380180881683_636567095859149046_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Amin Esmaeilnezhad of Iran. Photo from Kimberly Pauig via PNVF</div>MANILA — Alas Pilipinas Men will definitely be challenged by Asia&#x27;s best opposite spiker Amin Esmaeilnezhad and Team Iran in the FIVB Men&#x27;s World Championship 2025.Iran will be the host team&#x27;s last task in Pool A of the 32-country tilt, set for September 18 at the Mall of Asia Arena.The 28-year-old Esmaeilnezhad is one of the more experienced players on Team Melli, which boasts an average age of 23.8 years and an average height of 6-foot-5.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/8/22/fivb-worlds-alas-pilipinas-to-face-wassim-ben-tara-less-tunisia-on-opening-day-2308">READ: FIVB Worlds: Alas Pilipinas to face Wassim Ben Tara-less Tunisia on opening day </a></div>Helping the star spiker pace the Iranian squad are former Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Best Setter Javad Karimi and Angiolino Frigoni&#x27;s compatriot Roberto Piazza, who are, for their part, aiming for FIVB glory.The 13th-ranked Iran is the second-highest placed Asian team in the FIVB Men&#x27;s rankings, just behind Japan which is at No. 5.They also took time to sharpen their skills in Europe ahead of the Worlds, same as the Philippine team.Iran looks to improve from a ninth-place result in the last Volleyball Nations League last month, although a much better finish from a 15th-place result in VNL 2024.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/8/23/leila-barros-excited-to-see-pinoy-fans-again-see-you-soon-1630">READ: Leila Barros excited to see Pinoy fans again: &#x27;See you soon!&#x27; </a></div>Pool A is joined by the Philippines, Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia.The FIVB Worlds will also feature Brazilian volleyball superstar Leila Barros as guest of honor for the Finals from September 27 to 28 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Iran will be the host team's last task in Pool A of the 32-country tilt, set for September 18 at the Mall of Asia Arena. #MWCH #MWCH2025 #Philippines2025

Iran will be the host team's last task in Pool A of the 32-country tilt, set for September 18 at the Mall of Asia Arena. #MWCH #MWCH2025 #Philippines2025

Alas Pilipinas looks to overcome Amin Esmaeilnezhad, Iran in FIVB Worlds

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Alas Pilipinas looks to overcome Amin Esmaeilnezhad, Iran in FIVB Worlds

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2025 05:29 PM PHT

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abssports

men's volleyball

Alas Pilipinas Men

FIVB Men's World Championship 2025

Amin Esmaeilnezhad

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