Why it matters:
The victory cements Iran’s position as one of the rising powers in international volleyball, with its youth squads consistently competing at the top level. It also adds to the country’s growing list of achievements in team sports on the world stage.
The big picture:
Iran dropped the opening set 25–15 but rallied strongly to win the next three sets (25–18, 25–22, 25–15).
The final marked a clash between two of the world’s strongest youth teams, with Italy entering as a former champion and Iran seeking to build on its previous continental successes.
Iran reached the final unbeaten, having swept all of its earlier matches.
Key points:
The win marks Iran’s second U21 world title, following their first triumph in 2019.
Italy had taken an early lead in the final but struggled against Iran’s power game and defensive consistency in later sets.
Volleyball is among Iran’s most successful team sports internationally, with the senior squad also ranking among the world’s top teams.
Go deeper:
The FIVB Men’s U21 Championship has long been a showcase for future stars of world volleyball, with alumni going on to dominate the senior stage.
Iran’s strong youth development system is credited with producing world-class players who have helped the country challenge traditional volleyball powerhouses like Brazil, Italy, and Poland.
Mojtaba Darabi - Mojtaba Darabi
