Spain, Iceland, Ireland and more were missing from the ESC 2026. You can find out what the Intervision Song Contest & Eurovision Song Contest Asia have to do with it here.
Anyone who watched the ESC 2026 on Saturday evening, May 16, 2026, may have noticed something: Spain was missing. Along with Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia, Spain boycotted the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The reason for this is once again Israel’s participation – and the open question of whether a country whose government has accused a UN commission of genocide should take part in a competition that officially tries to stand up for values such as unity and dignity. Russia is also often mentioned in this context, being excluded in 2022 after the war of aggression against Ukraine.
Too much or too little posture?
The ESC increasingly seems to be a competition that lacks a common consensus among several states. What is not enough attitude for some people is already too much for others. Arab news agencies get shivers down their spines when they think of the performances that are far too queer for them. But just like in a well-stocked supermarket, there is something for everyone – even countries that are hostile to queer people can present their singing talent at a song contest. May I introduce: the Intervision Song Contest.
The Intervision Song Contest – the alternative to the ESC
Originally launched by Russia during the Cold War, the Intervision is the alternative to the ESC. Discontinued in 1980 and has been back since 2025. While Eurovision is dedicated to the European region, Intervision lives up to its name and unites countries for which the ESC is too queer or whose landmass is too far away. Anyone who finds the selection of countries at the ESC, including Australia, amusing will really enjoy the following list of participants: China, India, Brazil, Russia, Serbia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam – just a small selection of the 23 countries.
In contrast to the European version, only an expert jury decides the result and, according to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, there are “no perversions or violations of human nature,” as “Watson” documented. True to the motto: send tank troops to Ukraine – yes; Men with glitter – just don’t. Vietnam won the Intervision Song Contest in 2025 with the song “Phu Dong, the Heavenly King”.
Eurovision Song Contest Asia
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the ESC, also wants to become part of the Asian market and has been organizing the Eurovision Song Contest Asia (ESCA) since this year. Participating countries so far include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Thailand and Vietnam.
These have nothing to do with Europe per se – but at least Australia is also taking part in the ESC.
