Iceland: Eurovision participation uncertain until final decision on Israel is taken! – Eurovision News | Music

After Slovenia and Spain, one more country seems to be uncertain about its participation in Eurovision 2026. We’re talking about Iceland, which has expressed its dissatisfaction regarding the Israeli participation in recent years, many times.

Iceland is going to make use of the extension of the deadline to withdraw by December, when we will have the final answer on Israel’s participation in the Contest, after the EBU General Assembly. The participation of Iceland will be based upon EBU’s decision, as Stefán Jón Hafstein, chairman of the public broadcaster said to the Icelandic website Vísir.

Even though RÚV opened the submission window for Söngvakeppnin 2026 (the country’s national final) a few days ago, it was stated that the participation of the winner of the national final, as well as that of Iceland in general, is not certain.

In detail, Stefán Jón Hafstein, stated:

“There was a general meeting of the EBU in July and many criticisms were voiced, including from us, about Israel being allowed to participate. At that meeting, it was decided to begin a consultation process among the public broadcasters. Now I know that many people are considering whether they want Israel to be included in the contest or not, and they do not have to announce their participation before December. We will call for entries for Söngvakeppnin, but with the reservation of participating in Eurovision. We simply do not know if that will happen.”