Iran to Face Brazil at FIVB World League Opener on Thursday

The competition will feature a record 36 teams and 54 matches around the world.

The twelve teams that have qualified for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be fine-tuning their skills at the volleyball world’s most important annual competition from June 16 to July 17.

Three countries are set to make their debut this year: Chinese Taipei, Qatar and European Championship runners-up Slovenia.

Given the importance of this year's Summer Games, it seems only fitting that this year’s FIVB World League will kick off at the new Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro.

Iran and Brazil have met five times in the World League, all in the 2014 edition.

Iran won three of those matches, including the only encounter in the final group round (3-1), versus two wins for Brazil. Both teams reached the Final Four in 2014, with Brazil finishing second after losing the final against United States (3-1) and Iran finishing fourth after losing the third place match against Italy (3-0).

These teams also met twice at the World Cup (1991, 2011) and twice at the Grand Champions Cup (2009, 2013). Brazil won all four of these matches.

Iran will also face USA and Argentina on June 17 and 19 respectively.