TEHRAN - Two Iranian volleyball clubs are reportedly considering withdrawal from the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship.

The 19th edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place from Dec. 10th to 15th in Brazil.

Foolad Sirjan and Shahdab Yazd are set to represent Iran in the prestigious competition. However, recent reports suggest that both teams are contemplating withdrawal from the tournament and may not travel to Brazil.

Speculations about the Iranian teams' potential withdrawal have surfaced despite both clubs having initially confirmed their participation. With just a month to go before the tournament, the clubs have expressed their intention to pull out.

In recent weeks, both teams have attempted to strengthen their rosters by recruiting players from other domestic clubs. However, these efforts have been met with resistance from other teams, who are currently engaged in their domestic leagues. This has been cited as one of the primary reasons for the potential withdrawals.

As the champions and runners-up of the 2024 Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship, Foolad and Shahdab, respectively, earned the right to compete in the 2024 World Club Championship.

 Iran's participation in the tournament would have provided valuable international exposure for the country's volleyball. However, a withdrawal would deprive Iranian fans of the opportunity to see their teams compete on the global stage.

Foolad Sirjan have been drawn into Group A alongside Praia Clube (Brazil), Lube (Italy), and Al Ahly (Egypt). Meanwhile, Shahdab Yazd will face Trentino Itas (Italy), Sada Cruzeiro (Brazil), and Ciudad Voley (Argentina) in Group B.

A withdrawal from the tournament is likely to have serious consequences for both Iranian clubs. They could face substantial fines from the FIVB, the governing body of international volleyball. The absence of the two Iranian teams would also disrupt the tournament schedule.

Domestic clubs have their own reasons for being reluctant to release their players. They are concerned about the risk of injuries during the intense competition, which could impact their players' availability for the remainder of the domestic league season. The domestic league is scheduled to resume just two days after the conclusion of the World Club Championship, leaving little time for players to recover.

It remains to be seen whether Foolad Sirjan and Shahdab Yazd will ultimately decide to withdraw from the tournament. Their decision will have a significant impact on Iranian volleyball and could damage the country's reputation in the international sports community.