Eurovision 2026 contestants: Confirmed countries and acts

The first semi-final in the Eurovision Song Contest is just hours away, as the first 15 acts prepare to put on the performance of a lifetime and secure themselves a spot in the grand final.

Only 10 performers from tonight (12 May) can make it to Saturday night's show, and kicking off proceedings are Moldova, Sweden and Croatia with the first three performances of the night.

Other performances tonight include representatives from Italy and Germany, both of whom have a free pass into the final but will give audiences a flavour of how they might want to vote on the big night.

This year, Look Mum No Computer (aka Sam Battle) will be hoping to lift the trophy for the United Kingdom - but who else is in the running to be crowned the champion of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026?

Here is a guide to this year's Eurovision entries.

Eurovision Song Contest 2026: The full line-up of countries and acts

The complete line-up of competing countries for Eurovision 2026 was confirmed ahead of the semi-finals, with 35 acts taking centre stage in Austria.

Fans will notice that Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova are returning to the competition, with the latter withdrawing from last year's contest.

Here are all the countries taking part:

• Albania - 'Nân' - Alis
• Armenia - 'Paloma Rumba' - SIMÓN
• Australia - 'Eclipse' - Delta Goodrem
• Austria - 'Tanzschein' - Cosmó Tanzschein
• Azerbaijan - 'Just Go' - JIVA
• Belgium - 'Dancing on the Ice' - ESSYLA
• Bulgaria - 'Bangaranga' - DARA
• Croatia - 'Andromeda' - LELEK
• Cyprus - 'JALLA' - Antigoni
• Czechia - 'CROSSROADS' - Daniel Zizka
• Denmark 'Før Vi Går Hjem' - Søren Torpegaard Lund
• Estonia - 'Too Epic To Be True' - Vanilla Ninja
• Finland - 'Liekinheitin' - Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen
• France - 'Regarde!' - Monroe
• Georgia - 'On Replay' - Bzikebi
• Germany - 'Fire' - Sarah Engels
• Greece - 'Ferto' - Akylas
• Israel - 'Michelle' - Noam Bettan
• Italy - 'Per Sempre Sì' - Sal Da Vinci
• Latvia - 'Ēnā' - Atvara
• Lithuania - 'Sólo Quiero Más' - Lion Ceccah
• Luxembourg - 'Mother Nature' - Eva Marija
• Malta - 'Bella' - AIDAN
• Moldova - 'Viva, Moldova!' - Satoshi
• Montenegro - 'Nova Zora' - Tamara Živković
• Norway - 'YA YA YA' - JONAS LOVV
• Poland - 'Pray' - ALICJA
• Portugal - 'Rosa' - Bandidos do Cante
• Romania - 'Choke Me' - Alexandra Căpitănescu
• San Marino - 'Superstar' - SENHIT
• Serbia - 'Kraj Mene' - LAVINA
• Sweden - 'My System' - FELICIA
• Switzerland - 'Alice' - Veronica Fusaro
• Ukraine - 'Ridnym' - LELÉKA
• United Kingdom - 'Eins, Zwei, Drei' - Look Mum No Computer

The Eurovision Song Contest has faced significant criticism over its decision to allow Israel to take part in the event due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

This year, a number of countries will boycott the contest following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision not to expel Israel from the competition.

At the EBU general assembly in December 2025, a vote was held to introduce new rules that would stop governments and third parties from disproportionately promoting songs to influence voters. No vote was held on Israel’s participation.

The EBU said in a statement: "A large majority of members agreed that there was no need for a further vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in place."

Following this, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland confirmed they would not participate in this year’s Eurovision.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ said: "RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk."

The BBC, which broadcasts the competition in the UK, has said it supports the decision made by the EBU. "This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive," it said in a statement.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final will take place on Saturday 16 May 2026.

You can also check out the full list of Eurovision winners and how many times the UK has won Eurovision.

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