Countries’ Status So Far: Where Does Every Country Stands for Eurovision 2026?

Ahead of the grand final in Vienna this May, Eurovision 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most politically charged seasons yet. This year’s drama begins earlier than usual, with a wave of countries threatening to withdraw if Israel participates. On the other hand, several European nations defend Israel within the EBU and even threatened to withdraw if Israel itself were excluded.

What do we know so far? Who stands with Israel, and who stands against it?

• Albania – Confirmed, Neutral – Albania has confirmed its participation without addressing Israel’s status. Friendly diplomatic relations suggest it will not oppose Israel’s entry. Albania might withdraw due to RTSH’s financial hurdles.
• Andorra – Will Not Participate, Neutral – Andorra has not commented on the issue of Israel. The country has not participated since 2010 due to lack of interest.
• Armenia – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – Armenia has not commented on Israel’s involvement. The country regularly participates in the contest except for a withdrawal in 2021. Armenia has not yet confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026, as it usually does not make an official announcement until the full list is revealed.
• Australia – Confirmed, Neutral – Australia has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026, and has not commented on Israel’s participation.
• Austria – Confirmed, Supports Israel – Austria, the host of the next Eurovision, confirmed its participation immediately after the win. During discussions at the EBU, Austria was one of the main countries advocating for Israel’s participation. The CEO of the Austrian national broadcaster even stated that he desires Israel’s participation in the contest and supports it. Austrian support is significant for Israel, as Austria holds considerable influence as the host.

• Azerbaijan – Confirmed, Neutral – The Azerbaijani national broadcaster confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026 but did not comment on Israel’s involvement. Azerbaijan is not expected to oppose Israel’s participation due to the good relations between the two countries.

• Belgium – Threatens to Withdraw, Opposes Israel – Belgium is a strong opponent of Israel, provoking controversy against it almost every year. Although Belgium initially confirmed its participation, it quickly denied it, and there is a strong likelihood that it will boycott Eurovision if Israel participates.

• Bosnia & Herzegovina – Will Not Participate, Neutral – Bosnia and Herzegovina has not commented on Israel’s participation. The country has not taken part in Eurovision since 2017 due to financial debts owed to the EBU.
• Bulgaria – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – Bulgaria has not made any statements regarding Israel. The last time Bulgaria participated was in 2022. Its participation status for this year is still unclear, it has neither confirmed participation nor non-participation.
• Croatia – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – The Croatian national broadcaster has not yet confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026. Croatia is not expected to oppose Israel’s participation in the contest.
• Cyprus – Confirmed, Supports Israel – The Cypriot national broadcaster has confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026. It supported Israel throughout the discussions at the EBU and is expected to soon finalize the process of selecting its representative.
• Czechia – Confirmed, Neutral – Czechia has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026. The Czech national broadcaster has not commented on the issue of Israel, but if its position is similar to that of the Czech government, it is expected to support Israel’s participation.
• Denmark – Confirmed, Neutral – The Danish national broadcaster has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 and has not commented on the issue of Israel, despite the anti-Israel public opinion in Denmark.
• Estonia – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – Estonia has not commented on the issue of Israel. Estonia participates in the competition regularly and is expected to confirm its participation later regardless of Israel’s participation.
• Finland – Confirmed, Neutral – The Finnish national broadcaster has confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026. When asked about Israel’s participation, it issued a terse statement saying that the broadcaster is concerned about the situation in Gaza and is focusing on preparations for the UMK.

• France – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – The only Big 5 country whose position is completely unknown, it has not commented on the issue of Israel and has not yet confirmed its participation in the competition.
• Georgia – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – Georgia has not commented on the issue of Israel, but it is expected to support its participation due to the positive relations between the countries. Georgia regularly participates in the competition and has not yet confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026.
• Germany – Confirmed, Supports Israel – The German national broadcaster has confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026 and is a major supporter of Israel within the EBU. According to many sources, Germany threatened to withdraw if Israel were to be disqualified from Eurovision. Germany is the most significant Big 5 country in Eurovision, contributing the most money with each of its participations, more than the other four combined.
• Greece – Confirmed, Supports Israel – Greece has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 and supports Israel in the discussions at the EBU. When asked about its participation in Eurovision 2026 after the growing wave of protests, the national broadcaster refused to comment and clarified that it is committed to the values of the competition.
• Hungary – Will Not Participate, Neutral – Hungary will not participate in Eurovision 2026 and has not commented on the issue of Israel’s participation. If it were involved in the competition, it would likely be a strong voice of support, but it has no interest in the contest at the moment. Hungary has not participated since 2020.
• Iceland – Threatens to Withdraw, Opposes Israel – Iceland is one of the leaders of the anti-Israel bloc. It confirmed its participation and then quickly withdrew the confirmation due to Israel’s participation. Iceland made the ridiculous suggestion that the Israeli representative should compete without a flag.
• Ireland – Will Withdraw if Israel Participates – Ireland is one of the two countries that have officially announced they will boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates. Ireland is a leader of the anti-Israel boycott in Europe and within the EBU.

• Israel – Confirmed (As For Now) – Israel has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026, which is expected to be discussed at the EBU conference on December 4th-5th in Geneva.
• Italy – Confirmed, Supports Israel – A Big 5 country, Italy has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026. According to some publications, it threatened to withdraw if Israel were to be disqualified from Eurovision 2026. Italy is a big supporter of Israel in the European Union, and it’s likely the same in the EBU.
• Latvia – Confirmed, Neutral – It appears that Israel is not of great interest to Latvia, which is currently in a good period in the competition after two consecutive qualifications for the final. Latvia has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026.
• Lithuania – Confirmed, Neutral – Lithuania has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026. Lithuania has not commented on the issue of Israel.
• Luxembourg – Confirmed, Neutral – Luxembourg has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026. It has not commented on the issue of Israel and is focusing on its vigorous preparations for Luxembourg Song Contest 2026.
• Malta – Confirmed, Neutral – Malta has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026. It has not officially commented on the issue of Israel.
• Moldova – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – Moldova has not commented on the issue of Israel, but it is not expected to oppose its participation. Moldova has not yet confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026. Moldova withdrew from Eurovision last year, and it is likely that it will return this year.
• Montenegro – Confirmed, Neutral – Montenegro has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 and is busy with preparations for Montesong 2025. It has not commented on the issue of Israel.
• The Netherlands – Threatens to Withdraw, Opposes Israel – Although it confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026, the Netherlands has withdrawn its participation and claims to be in “discussions with the EBU” – likely regarding Israel’s participation.

• North Macedonia – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – North Macedonia has not commented on the issue of Israel. North Macedonia last participated in Eurovision in 2022 and has not yet confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026.
• Norway – Confirmed, Opposes Israel – The Norwegian national broadcaster is a vocal opponent of Israel, and the former head of the Norwegian delegation to Eurovision has already been caught making anti-Israel statements. Norway’s position in the current discussions is unknown, but it has not yet joined the wave of countries threatening to withdraw.
• Poland – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – The country has not yet confirmed its participation in Eurovision, but it has been reported that it is considering choosing its representative on the show “The Voice”. Poland is a regular participant in Eurovision and has not commented on the issue of Israel’s participation.
• Portugal – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – Portugal has not yet confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026. Its stance on the issue of Israel is unclear, according to unverified reports, Portugal is threatening to withdraw, but this has not been confirmed.
• Romania – Not Yet Confirmed, Neutral – Romania has not yet confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 and has not commented on the issue of Israel. If the national broadcaster’s position is similar to that of the government, it is expected to support Israel’s participation.
• San Marino – Confirmed, Neutral – The San Marinese national broadcaster has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 and has not commented on the issue of Israel, aside from a terse and neutral statement it issued after the competition.
• Serbia – Confirmed, Neutral – The Serbian national broadcaster has confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026. When it did so, it stated that it did not believe Israel had manipulated votes and that the voting was legitimate.

• Slovakia – Will Not Participate, Neutral – The Slovak national broadcaster has confirmed that it will not participate in Eurovision 2026. Slovakia has not commented on the issue of Israel, and its most recent participation was in 2012.
• Slovenia – Will Withdraw if Israel Participates – The national broadcaster, led by CEO Ksenija Horvat, is the most anti-Israeli in Europe. Slovenia was the first to announce a boycott in case Israel participates.
• Spain – Threatens to Withdraw, Opposes Israel – Under its left-wing government, Spain has become one of Israel’s most vocal opponents. The Spanish national broadcaster often attacks Israel and covers the conflict in a one-sided manner that aligns with an anti-Israeli narrative. Spain is a leader in the discussion against Israel within the EBU and recently threatened to withdraw if Israel participates.
• Sweden – Confirmed, Neutral – The Swedish national broadcaster has already confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026. When asked about Israel’s participation, it gave a vague and unclear answer. While Sweden generally tends to be against Israel, it is a major Eurovision nation, and its withdrawal from the competition would be an extreme move. Therefore, the country is maintaining a very moderate stance.
• Switzerland – Confirmed, Supports Israel – Neutral Switzerland has confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026 and has also expressed support for Israel throughout the discussions at the EBU (as there is no real legal claim against the participation).
• Ukraine – Confirmed, Neutral – The Ukrainian national broadcaster has not commented on the issue of Israel, has confirmed its participation, and has begun preparations for Vidbir 2026.
• United Kingdom – Confirmed, Neutral – The United Kingdom has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 and has not commented on the issue of Israel. The United Kingdom’s position is important, as it is a Big 5 country, but for now, it remains silent.