Eurovision 2026 has been struck with controversy as a handful of countries have refused to take part this 12 months.
Boy George discusses going up towards UK with Senhit at Eurovision
The seventieth Eurovision Tune Contest is lastly right here, with Austria internet hosting the globally-loved competitors in Vienna on the Wiener Stadthalle. The UK might be represented by digital singer-songwriter and YouTuber Look Mum No Pc and his tune Eins, Zwei, Drei. There are 35 nations participating within the competitors this 12 months with the UK, France, Germany and Italy all by to the grand finale as the most important monetary contributors to the occasion.
Additionally, reigning champions Austria have already been assured a spot within the closing given. Nonetheless, some large nations are absent after they made the choice to tug out of the competitors. Right here’s the lowdown on which nations aren’t participating.
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Eurovision 2026 has seen 5 nations pull out (Picture: GETTY)
The next nations have determined to withdraw from the Tune Contest:
1. Iceland
2. Eire
3. The Netherlands
4. Slovenia
5. Spain
Why are nations boycotting Eurovision 2026?
Eurovision 2026 is being held in Vienna, Austria (Picture: GETTY)
There are 5 nations boycotting this 12 months’s Eurovision in protest over Israel’s battle on Gaza.
Israel’s presence within the competitors has triggered controversy ever since its authorities started a large scale army marketing campaign towards Gaza in October 2023.
The offensive was in response to a Hamas-led assault on Israel by which roughly 1,200 folks have been killed and 251 others have been taken hostage, in accordance with Israeli authorities.
Israel’s offensive on Gaza has killed 72,628, in accordance with the Hamas-led well being authority.
A ceasefire between Israel and Gaza has been in impact since October 10, 2025.
The group of nations introduced their withdrawal in December 2025 after Israel’s participation was formally confirmed.
Spain’s boycott is important on condition that it is among the Huge 5 and makes a considerable monetary contribution, guaranteeing its place within the grand finale.
Iceland was the fifth nation to affix Spain, Eire, Slovenia and The Netherlands.
Furthermore, Spain, Eire and Slovenia received’t be airing Eurovision with Irish broadcaster RTÉ selecting to air traditional sitcom Father Ted as a substitute, plumping for the Eurovision-themed episode A Tune For Europe.
In the meantime, Slovenian broadcaster RTV’s director Ksenija Horvat advised AP: “We is not going to be broadcasting the Eurovision Tune Contest. We might be airing the movie collection Voices of Palestine, that includes Palestinian documentaries and have movies.”
The Eurovision Tune Contest grand finale might be on Saturday, Might 16 at 8pm BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
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