The hope for another “Australian surprise” has vanished: the EBU officially confirmed that Canada and Kazakhstan, once considered for a historic debut in Vienna, will remain out. what is preventing them from joining? All the details – Right here!
One of the season’s most persistent Eurovision rumors was officially dispelled yesterday (Thursday). During a press conference, Eurovision Executive Supervisor Martin Green confirmed once and for all: Kazakhstan and Canada will not make their debut in Vienna for the 70th Eurovision anniversary celebrations. The reason, he explained, is that the deadline for new countries to join has passed, and it’s now too late to add participants this year. The announcement follows months of speculation about potential new countries joining the competition.
It had been widely speculated that the EBU was planning a special gesture to mark Eurovision’s 70th anniversary, similar to how Australia was invited to participate for the first time at Eurovision 2015 during the contest’s 60th anniversary. Many expected the EBU to open the door once again to a non-European nation, especially considering this year’s smaller roster of participating countries. However, Green’s confirmation puts an end to that expectation, clarifying that the celebration in Vienna will feature only the 35 countries that have confirmed their participation.
End of a Long-Running Rumor
Green’s statement marks the conclusion of months filled with anticipation and debate — and it wasn’t merely baseless speculation. In fact, recent reports had documented tangible progress on multiple fronts:
Just last November, we reported on the growing cooperation between the Canadian national broadcaster and the EBU, which sparked real expectations of a Canadian debut. At the same time, late last month we also revealed that official talks were held regarding Kazakhstan’s potential participation. Despite good intentions and multiple discussions, it now appears that the final decision about including the two countries in Eurovision 2026 was ultimately negative.
Kazakhstan: The Door Remains Closed
Kazakhstan has long been considered the “natural candidate” to join the contest. The Kazakh national broadcaster Khabar Agency is a member of the European Broadcasting Union (as an Associate Member) and regularly airs the competition. Moreover, Kazakhstan has previously participated with great success in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, achieving impressive results — including two second-place finishes. Despite the broadcaster’s strong desire to join the main contest, the EBU has chosen not to extend a special invitation this year.
Canada: A Historic Link Wasn’t Enough
On the Canadian side, disappointment is high. The Eurovision Song Contest has been broadcast in Canada for years, cultivating a dedicated fan base. Canada is also linked to one of Eurovision’s most iconic moments: Céline Dion’s 1988 victory representing Switzerland, a triumph that remains a point of national pride. Our November report indicated that Canada was on its way to Eurovision, but it’s now clear that the opportunity has been dropped. At least for 2026, the Vienna celebration will go ahead without any North American representation.
Eurovision 2026: the 70th edition of the contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026. The Wiener Stadthalle arena, which will host the event, is expected to accommodate around 16,000 spectators per show. The contest returns to Austria following the nation’s third historic win with the song “Wasted Love”, performed by JJ. It will be Austria’s third time hosting Eurovision, after previous editions held in the country in 1967 and 2015.
