Holders Italy secured a second consecutive straight sets win at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran, Iran, with a 25-19, 29-27, 25-15 victory against the Czech Republic in Pool B.

Elsewhere in the pool Brazil earned their first win with a 25-20, 25-16, 25-21 victory against Belarus.

Russia lead Pool C after earning a second consecutive four-set win, coming from behind to triumph 21-25, 25-22, 32-30, 25-22 against Belgium.

The pool’s other match also saw a come-from-behind victory for Thailand who defeated Cameroon 22-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20.

In Pool D, Argentina won their second successive game to go top, after beating Germany 25-23, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22.

Elsewhere in the pool, Egypt received an automatic victory against the Dominican Republic, who withdrew from the tournament before it started due to exceptional circumstances.

All their matches have been forfeited after five members of the squad were forced to quarantine at home after a close contact with a positive coronavirus case.

In Pool A, hosts Iran won their first match in straight sets 25-22, 25-15, 25-22 against India, while Poland also triumphed in straight sets 25-10, 25-14, 25-18 against Nigeria.

Poland, Iran and India all sit on six points, which includes automatic wins over Guatemala, who also withdrew prior to the tournament getting underway, after eight of their 12 players withdrew after testing positive for coronavirus before travelling to Iran.