RÚV’s Director General, Stefán Eiríksson has released a statement indicating that Iceland could withdraw from the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria. This is despite the broadcaster beginning preparations for its national selection Söngvakeppnin 2026.
Iceland considering withdrawal from Eurovision 2026?
During a radio interview with Icelandic station Rás 2, Stefán Eiríksson the Director General of RÚV gave his assessment of Iceland’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. A consultation with broadcasters is expected to take place in December. The outcomes from this will likely determine the fate of Iceland. The Director General alludes to the possibility of withdrawing from the Vienna contest if Israeli broadcaster KAN remains.
“I think it is likely that if there is no change in EBU’s position and it does not respond to these voices of concern coming from us, from Spain and Slovenia and others, then that will call for reactions from these broadcasters. But let’s just wait and see.
We have serious doubts about the conduct of both the Israeli public broadcaster and the Israeli government when it comes to Eurovision, and we have expressed these concerns within the EBU, that the rules of the competition are being broken.
I can sense that the landscape is changing quite a bit, but whether it will change in such a way that Israel will be excluded from the contest in the coming weeks or months remains to be seen.
Earlier this year the board of RÚV passed a motion supporting the Director General to vote in favour of excluding Israel from Eurovision should a subject of that nature arise. This came following a number of concerns the broadcaster has raised regarding the previous two contests.
🇮🇸 Söngvakeppnin 2026 submissions open
Despite this, Icelandic broadcaster RÚV remains committed to its scheduling of Söngvakeppnin 2026. However, this national selection and Eurovision participation is conditional on the outcomes of the EBU consultation later this year. Recently it was confirmed that broadcasters have until mid-December to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 without taking a financial penalty.
Submissions for the upcoming national final are now open. A total of ten entries will be selected to take part in the live shows. The winner will represent Iceland next May in Vienna, Austria should Iceland choose to remain in the contest.
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