Iran finishes 12th in AVC U18 Women's Volleyball World Championship

Iran was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament after failing to reach the playoff stage involving 32 teams, which happened in a very dramatic manner.

Situation in Group J

It seemed that Iran could have made it into the top eight third-placed teams among the twelve groups of four after Algeria took the lead against Austria with a score of 3-2 in stoppage time on Saturday evening in Group J. However, Austria equalized just a few seconds after the final whistle, taking second place in the group and dropping Algeria to third place.

Consequences for Iran

The point Algeria earned from the draw allowed them to accumulate four points in the tournament, one point more than Iran earned in three games in Group G. This dropped Iran to ninth place among the teams that finished third, which was one place less than required to advance to the round of 32.

Team Difficulties

For the Iranian national team, the World Cup proved difficult due to the ongoing war between the US and Iran, which created many problems for the Melli team. Some members of the team delegation did not receive visas to enter the United States, and the team had to arrive in the US via Mexico a day before each of the first two games, and then leave the country almost immediately.

Change in US Stance

Ultimately, the US government softened its position, allowing Iranians to enter the US two days before their third group stage match, where they drew with Egypt, securing their third draw in three games.

Iran lost to France with a score of 3:2 (25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 24-26, 17-15) in the second round of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 World Championship, which took place on Wednesday evening.

Match Progression

In the second round of VNL 2026, the Iranian national team pushed France to the limit in an exciting five-set battle but ultimately lost 3–2. The Iranian team demonstrated great determination by leveling scores with the reigning Olympic champions and showed noticeable progress under the guidance of head coach Roberto Piazza.

Team Tactics and Struggle

Aggressive serving, reliable defense, and effective attacks from Iran constantly put pressure on France throughout the match. The teams repeatedly exchanged initiative, with Iran winning two sets, forcing the opponent to play a decisive fifth set. In the final set, France managed to secure the victory relying on its experience and composure in critical moments.

Performance Summary

Despite the loss, Iran earned a valuable point in the standings and received high praise for its fighting spirit and improved teamwork. This match highlighted the potential of young Iranian players and showed that the team is capable of competing with the strongest volleyball powers in the world.