Eurovision 2026: EBU unveils 35-country line-up as five broadcasters walk out and Canada rumours fizzle out
The EBU has finally revealed the official list of 35 broadcasters competing in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. And if the press release sounded suspiciously cheerful, that might be because it politely skated over the fact that five countries have quit the contest altogether.
Yes, while the EBU celebrates “unity” and “enduring power,” Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands have all packed their bags and exited the competition in protest against Israel’s continued participation. It’s the biggest coordinated walkout in Eurovision history, and yet the EBU announced the 2026 line-up as if someone had merely misplaced a backing vocalist.
35 broadcasters confirmed – and no, Canada and Kazakhstan aren’t joining
After weeks of wild fan speculation about “mystery newcomers,” the rumours can officially be put to rest:
Canada is not debuting. Kazakhstan is not debuting.
No new continents were harmed in the making of Eurovision 2026.
Instead, the line-up looks familiar, with Bulgaria (BNT), Romania (TVR) and Moldova (TRM) returning from their respective absences. The rest? The usual roster, minus the five countries currently on Eurovision strike.
Here’s the official list the EBU really wants us to focus on:
Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
ORF, France, Germany, Italy and the UK remain pre-qualified alongside host Austria.
Everyone else fights for a ticket to the final through two 15-song semi-finals.
Meanwhile at the EBU: “Everything is fine, we promise”
In classic EBU fashion, Director Martin Green sprinkled hopeful adjectives over the announcement:
“A vivid reminder of the enduring power of the Eurovision Song Contest…”
Which sounds lovely until you remember five members just left the building because they couldn’t agree with the EBU’s choices.
Enduring power? Sure. Enduring controversy? Absolutely.
The EBU insists that Eurovision 2026 will go ahead “united by music,” even if the family group chat is currently a war zone.
Juries return — because why not add more chaos to the chaos
For the first time since 2022, professional juries are back in the semi-finals. The EBU says it’s to “strengthen fairness and transparency,” which is a bold promise given recent history.
Fans remain… sceptical. Politely sceptical. Loudly sceptical.
What’s next for Vienna 2026?
A 70th anniversary, an increasingly tense political climate, and a line-up missing some of Eurovision’s most active fanbases.
But the show will go on — because the EBU has decided it will.
Tickets go on sale 13 January.
The Allocation Draw takes place 12 January.
And somewhere in a warehouse, a giant 70th anniversary logo is probably being glued together as we speak.
Eurovision 2026 is happening, darling. Whether Eurovision 2026 is fine is a different question entirely.
Source: EBU
