Mark Savage,Music correspondentand
Ian Youngs,Culture reporter
Getty Images
The pop band VÆB represented Iceland at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest
Iceland has joined Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands in saying it will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
All five countries have withdrawn after Israel’s participation in the competition was officially confirmed last week.
Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV, said: “There is no peace or joy connected to this contest as things stand now. On that basis, first and foremost, we are stepping back while the situation is as it is.”
RÚV said Israel’s participation had “created disunity among both members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the general public”.
The broadcaster’s board agreed the decision at a meeting on Wednesday, hours before the deadline for countries to confirm whether they will join what’s supposed to be a celebratory 70th anniversary edition of the song contest next May.
Iceland was believed to be the last remaining country to announce its decision.
Eurovision director Martin Green said: “We respect the decision of all broadcasters who have chosen not to participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest and hope to welcome them back soon.”
Reuters
The next contest is due to be held in Vienna in May 2026 after Austrian singer JJ triumphed at this year’s event
Israel’s presence at Eurovision has been an increasing source of tensi
Read More