by Tal Dahan Comment Closed




Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national broadcaster has confirmed the country will miss Eurovision 2026, marking a tenth consecutive year of absence due to financial crisis and EBU sanctions.

The national broadcaster BHRT has officially confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Austria. The primary reasons are a severe financial crisis and ongoing sanctions from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which have remained in place since the country’s outstanding debt was left unpaid. As a result, the Balkan nation will miss the grand European stage for the tenth year in a row—a streak that concerns both the fan community and figures in the local music industry.




Cultural and Political Loss: The Impact of Prolonged Absence

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s continued absence from Eurovision is not merely a musical issue—it represents the loss of a platform for cultural, social, and political representation on the international stage. In an era when many countries, including smaller and economically challenged states, use Eurovision as a tool for soft diplomacy and national branding, Bosnia is left behind. In conversations I held with Eurovision fans in the EuroMix community, a recurring sentiment was frustration:
“How can a country with such musical depth remain out of the picture for so long?” many wondered.

Missing Eurovision also hampers the growth of the local music industry, limiting opportunities for young artists and reducing Bosnia’s cultural presence in Europe. This is an annual missed opportunity—not just for a performance, but for a full cultural experience. As long as BHRT does not settle its debts with the EBU, the chances of returning to the contest remain slim.

Bosnia’s Eurovision Story: Achievements and Setbacks

Bosnia and Herzegovina first appeared at Eurovision in 1993, at the height of the Balkan War, even singing about it in their debut with the song “Sva bol svijeta” (“All the Pain in the World”) by Fazla. The country’s greatest moment came in 2006, when the band Hari Mata Hari and their powerful ballad “Lejla” finished third in the grand final in Athens—a remarkable achievement by any standard.

However, since 2013, Eurovision has become unattainable for Bosnia: economic troubles, internal political changes, and EBU sanctions have led to a series of withdrawals and brief returns. The last time the country competed was in 2016, when Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner & Jala performed “Ljubav Je” (“Love Is”)—a well-produced entry that nevertheless failed to qualify for the final.




Expert Commentary: When Economy, Politics, and Culture Collide

From my experience as a journalist at EuroMix over the years – watching, researching, and interviewing dozens of representatives – it is clear how difficult it is to maintain a Eurovision presence without stable financial backing. Yet, the contest’s history is full of counterexamples: Portugal, long one of the least successful countries, invested very little but won in 2017 with a simple, pyrotechnic-free performance. Some Eastern European countries also show that musical creativity can replace massive budgets.

Therefore, Bosnia’s problem is not just financial – it is structural. Without consistent participation, a willing industry, engaged media, and stable broadcasting infrastructure, even the most talented representative will be left behind.

The Fan Community: Longing, Disappointment, and Hope

Bosnia’s absence is felt far beyond Sarajevo. In major fan groups across Europe and Israel, there is a collective memory of the country as a source of emotion, tradition, and moving performances. In EuroMix communities, which include hundreds of Israeli Eurovision fans, comparisons to “Lejla” and “Bistra voda” (“Clear Water”) by the band Regina from Eurovision 2009 are frequently made – performances that touched viewers even if they did not win. According to some fans, Bosnia’s return could one day breathe new life into the Balkan genre.

What’s Next? Looking Ahead

As of 2025, there are no signs of progress from BHRT, and the national broadcaster has confirmed to esctoday that it will not take part in Eurovision 2026. As long as the debt to the EBU remains unpaid, sanctions will continue and Bosnia will stay out. However, many eyes are on the Bosnian government – perhaps an internal political change could reconnect the country to modern European culture. While Bosnia’s chances of returning to Eurovision in the coming years are low, the contest’s history shows that sometimes a single event – a new government, a private donor, or international cooperation – can bring a country back into the fold.




Bosnia and Herzegovina in Eurovision 2016

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most recent participation was in Eurovision 2016, held in Stockholm, Sweden, where, for the first time in its history, the country failed to qualify for the grand final. Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner & Jala were internally selected by the national broadcaster and represented the country with “Ljubav Je,” after the group members offered to cover participation costs themselves through private sponsorships. The group did not advance to the final, finishing 11th in the first semi-final with 104 points – 26 from juries and 78 from the public vote. Bosnia and Herzegovina was 29 points short of 10th place, Croatia, and thus missed out on the grand final.

Previously, Bosnia and Herzegovina had missed three consecutive contests between 2013 and 2015. Since the 2016 contest, the country has not participated in any subsequent Eurovision broadcasts.