Iran 🇮🇷 vs Australia 🇦🇺 | Highlights | AVC Men's Continental Championship 2026
Iran vs Australia | Highlights | AVC Men's Continental Championship 2026. Iran defeated Australia 3–1 in the semifinals of the 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship, advancing to the championship match and securing qualification for the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup.
The match was played on September 12, 2026, in Fukuoka, Japan. Iran won with set scores of 25–21, 17–25, 25–17 and 25–22.
Iran made the stronger start, applying pressure with powerful serving and disciplined net play to take the opening set 25–21. Australia responded impressively in the second set. The Volleyroos disrupted Iran’s reception, reduced their attacking efficiency and controlled the set from an early stage, winning it convincingly 25–17 to level the match.
Iran recovered immediately. Roberto Piazza’s team restored its organization in the third set, improved its passing and began using its attackers much more effectively. Iran controlled the set 25–17 and moved within one set of the final.
Australia continued to fight in the fourth set and stayed close throughout the closing stages. However, Iran handled the decisive rallies better, maintained its attacking pressure and closed the set 25–22 to complete a hard-fought 3–1 victory.
Ali Hajipour and Porya Hossein Khanzadeh were Iran’s leading scorers, producing 20 points each. Khanzadeh recorded 17 successful attacks, two blocks and one ace, while Hajipour provided another major offensive performance from the opposite position. Their combined 40 points were central to Iran’s victory.
Lorenzo Pope led Australia with 18 points and remained the team’s most dangerous attacking option. His performance helped Australia dominate the second set and remain competitive during the fourth, but the Volleyroos could not consistently contain Iran’s two leading attackers.
Iran entered the semifinal unbeaten. They had finished first in Pool B after defeating New Zealand 3–0, India 3–0 and China 3–1. Iran then eliminated Chinese Taipei 3–1 in the quarterfinals, with Khanzadeh scoring 24 points in that match.
Australia finished second in Pool A after straight-set victories over Bahrain and Oman and a 3–0 defeat against host nation Japan. In the quarterfinals, Australia delivered one of its strongest performances of the competition, defeating Thailand 3–0 with set scores of 25–22, 26–24 and 25–19.
The semifinal victory sent Iran into the Asian championship match against Japan. It also guaranteed Iran a place at the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup. Australia moved into the bronze-medal match against South Korea, where the Volleyroos eventually lost a five-set battle and finished fourth.
The Iran–Australia semifinal was ultimately decided by Iran’s superior attacking depth and its ability to recover after a difficult second set. Australia showed its physical strength, serving pressure and fighting spirit, but Khanzadeh and Hajipour delivered when Iran needed them most.
Final result: Iran 3–1 Australia
Set scores: 25–21, 17–25, 25–17, 25–22
Competition: AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026
Round: Semifinals
Date: September 12, 2026
Location: Fukuoka, Japan
Iran’s leading scorers: Ali Hajipour and Porya Hossein Khanzadeh — 20 points each
Australia’s leading scorer: Lorenzo Pope — 18 points