Sorry, Internet: Kazakhstan and Canada Are Not Joining Eurovision 2026 After All

If you were quietly hoping that Eurovision’s 70th birthday might come with a couple of surprise guests, it’s time to gently lower expectations back to earth.

This week, Martin Green confirmed what many suspected but few wanted to hear: Kazakhstan and Canada will not be debuting at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The rumours had a good run, but Vienna’s guest list is officially closed.

No new flags. No “historic first”. No Australia-style anniversary moment.

The Rumours Made Sense… Until They Didn’t

Let’s be fair. The speculation wasn’t random.

A 70th anniversary Eurovision does feel like the sort of occasion where the EBU might say “why not?” and invite a new country, just like it did with Australia in 2015. Add a few vague political comments, some associate members showing interest, and suddenly timelines on social media were doing their thing.

But according to Green, the reality is much duller. The deadline for broadcasters to join Eurovision 2026 passed back in December. No extensions, no loopholes, no birthday exceptions.

Eurovision loves tradition. It loves deadlines even more.

Associate Member Doesn’t Mean “Almost In”

Both Kazakhstan and Canada sit in the same slightly awkward category: associate members of the European Broadcasting Union.

Close enough to broadcast Eurovision. Close enough to talk about it.
Not close enough to just show up with a song.

To compete, they would need a direct invitation from the EBU. And for 2026, that invitation simply isn’t happening. The reasons, though, are very different.

Kazakhstan: The Interest Is Real, the Budget Isn’t

Kazakhstan has been circling Eurovision for years. The contest has aired there regularly since 2010, and the idea of participation has been floating around since the mid-2010s.

The Kazakh broadcaster Khabar Agency even competed in Junior Eurovision from 2018 to 2022, which felt like a clear “testing the waters” phase.

But late last year, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information quietly poured cold water on the hype. Eurovision participation, they said, would require serious financial investment. And right now, that money simply isn’t in the budget.

So it’s not a lack of interest. It’s a lack of funds. And Eurovision, for all its sparkle, is not a cheap hobby.

Canada: Big Ideas, Bad Timing

Canada’s story is almost the opposite.

In late 2025, it emerged that the Canadian government was actively discussing Eurovision participation with CBC/Radio-Canada. Budget documents even mentioned it. There were reports that Prime Minister Mark Carney was personally keen.

On paper, it sounded wild. Eurovision, but with Canada. Social media had thoughts.

The problem? All of this enthusiasm arrived after the deadline had quietly slammed shut. By the time the idea went public, Eurovision 2026 was already full.

For Canada, this doesn’t feel like a rejection. It feels like a missed train.

So… What Now?

For Vienna 2026, this means a familiar Eurovision map. No new debuts. No anniversary shock entries. The celebration will be about legacy, not expansion.

That’s slightly disappointing, yes. But also very Eurovision.

The contest rarely moves fast, and when it does, it plans years ahead. Kazakhstan and Canada are not out of the picture forever. They’re just not part of this chapter.

Eurovision has a long memory.
And an even longer waiting list.

For now, Vienna sticks with who’s already inside the room.

Source: Eurovoix