TEHRAN - As Team Melli inch closer to their appearances in the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and the FIVB World Championships, a series of friendly matches have been confirmed.

Iran prepare for VNL which will kick off on May 25 in Lille, France.

Team Melli will also feature at the 19th staging of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship which takes place in Bulgaria and Italy from sept. 9 to 30.

 Iran have been drawn in Pool D along with hosts Bulgaria, Cuba, Finland, Puerto Rico, and Poland.

 “We will play two friendly matches with Serbia ahead of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League,” Iranian national volleyball team head coach Igor Kolakovic told the reporters on Wednesday in Tehran.

“I’d rather rest the experienced players for the upcoming events. They will be added us in the next stages. We want to keep them fit and also it’s a good opportunity for the youngsters to get ready,” Kolakovic said.

“We have our own special dreams. I can assure you that we will play beautiful games and Team Melli do their best to win every match but it doesn’t mean we can beat all the teams,” the Montenegrin concluded.