Iran, Brazil, France, Italy, USA and host Japan brace for battle in the seventh edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Grand Champions Cup, with the aim of using the event as a springboard for development ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Iran will play in their third consecutive edition of the World Grand Champions Cup and will aim for a podium finish. Serbian mentor Igor Kolakovic sees the competition with the five other squads as a challenge and opportunity for his players.

“It’s a big challenge and opportunity to play against the strong teams in this tournament,” coach Kolakovic told fivb.org. “It’s also an opportunity for us to learn something more about volleyball.”

“If you think about the Olympic Games in Tokyo, I can say it will be a test for our players and our team for the future,” he added.