Iran yesterday became the first nation to qualify for the final in Chicago next month but were overpowered in front of their home fans at the Rezazadeh Stadium in Ardabil.

France won 25-18, 26-24, 25-21 for their ninth win of the season and go into the final round of pool fixtures with their hopes of progression in their own hands.

Portugal, by contrast, are in danger of being excluded from next season's Nations League after a straight sets defeat to fellow challenger team Australia.

The lowest ranked of the four challenger sides – Portugal, Australia, Bulgaria and Canada – will be replaced in the 2020 season, and that is currently the Portuguese after they went down to a 25-23, 25-22, 27-25 loss against the Australians.

In Pool 14, Poland overcame hosts Italy in Milan in a five set epic that lasted nearly three hours at PalaLido. 

Eventually the Poles came through 23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23 for their third straight five set win in the Nations League.

Argentina earlier gave their slim hopes of qualifying for the finals a boost by beating Serbia in straight sets,

They won their clash 25-17, 25-23, 25-18.

Canada have lifted themselves into play-off contention after beating Japan in a five set thriller in Pool 13 at in the Sears Centre Arena at Hoffman Estates.

They won 25-18, 26-24, 23-25, 21-25, 15-13 to record their seventh victory of the tournament.

Pool hosts United States beat China 25-20, 25-19, 25-19 to move onto the same record.

In Pool 16, Brazil whitewashed Russia 25-17, 25-21, 28-26 at the Ginásio Aecim Tocantins in Cuiabá to top the pile with 11 wins from 12 matches and are set for the final round.

Bulgaria came from 2-0 down to beat Germany in five sets, 26-28, 18-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-10.