The final confirmation deadline for Eurovision 2026 ends today. Iceland, Poland, and Armenia have yet to announce their decisions as Iceland and Poland hold last-minute talks about a possible boycott.
As the final hours of the official deadline tick away, it has been revealed that Iceland and Poland have yet to announce whether they will participate in Eurovision 2026. According to available information, both nations are debating whether to join the boycott over Israel’s participation. The EBU has set today as the final registration deadline, and the decisions of these countries could significantly alter the list of participants.
So far, 33 national broadcasters have confirmed their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest scheduled to take place this year in Vienna. However, three – AMPTV from Armenia, RÚV from Iceland, and TVP from Poland – have yet to officially announce their decisions.
Iceland to Decide Today: Will It Boycott Eurovision 2026?
At this crucial moment, Iceland stands at a crossroads after two years of threats to withdraw. The national broadcaster RÚV is holding a decisive meeting today to determine whether the country will join the boycott of Eurovision 2026.
Last week, RÚV stated that it believes Israel should not have been allowed to participate in the Vienna contest. According to its statement, Israel’s participation “could lead to our withdrawal”. Now, as the list closes, Iceland faces a dramatic choice between full participation or a historic withdrawal in a country where Eurovision enjoys over 95% rating viewership.
Poland Weighs Boycott but Remains Silent Publicly
Polish media reported in recent hours that national broadcaster TVP is discussing joining the boycott due to Israel’s participation. Despite the rumors, TVP has not released any official statement or comment, leaving Polish Eurovision fans in suspense.
Although Poland’s government identifies as center-right, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has repeatedly criticized the Israeli government’s actions during the war. Tusk stated that Israel’s conduct was “unthinkable” and controversially claimed in a tweet that Israel was “starving mothers and children,” directly linking the country’s actions to the Holocaust.
While the decision on Poland’s participation is formally up to TVP, the broadcaster is heavily influenced by government positions. Therefore, a withdrawal announcement would not come as a complete surprise.
Four Countries Have Already Withdrawn Over Israel’s Participation
So far, four countries have officially confirmed their withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 because of Israel’s participation:
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Ireland – RTÉ
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The Netherlands – AVROTROS
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Slovenia – RTVSLO
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Spain – RTVE
If Iceland or Poland joins them, the number of boycotting nations could reach unprecedented levels. In addition, the EBU has made clear that any withdrawal after today’s deadline will incur a substantial financial penalty, heightening the pressure on undecided broadcasters.
When Will the Official List Be Published?
The European Broadcasting Union is expected to release the official and final list of participating countries within the next two weeks.
Eurovision 2026: The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Austria, following the country’s third historic win with the song “Wasted Love” performed by JJ. This will be the third time the contest is hosted in Austria, after 1967 and 2015.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
