As we ntered 2026 and are awaiting announcements for this year's edition in the heart of Saudi Arabia, the competition is beginning to look less like a regional event and more like a global cultural pivot. While European nations are already participating in the Intervision Song Contest, 2026 might be a time to welcome a strategic new wave of European participants.
Let's examine the most possible countries to now only receive an invitation but actually accept it!
Slovakia
Slovakia remains the most likely country to enter the 2026 season. After years of staying on the sidelines due to the skyrocketing costs of Eurovision, the Slovakian broadcaster is reportedly eyeing Intervision’s unique hosting model. With Saudi Arabia providing significant infrastructure support, Slovakia may finally find a stage that is both artistically grand and financially sustainable. Also, let's not forget that Slovakia was already invited for the 2025 event, but did not accept (more on that here)
Hungary
Perhaps no country is more central to the 2026 conversation than Hungary. Hungary was also invited in the 2025 event. Having been absent from the Eurovision Song Contest since 2019 due to the government’s stance on "traditional values," Hungary could find a natural philosophical home in Intervision.
However, Hungary’s participation in 2026 seems to be tied to the parliamentary elections of April 2026. This is being called the most consequential vote in decades, as the newly ascendant Tisza Party poses the first major challenge to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s long-standing rule. Orbán’s administration views contests like Intervision as a platform for "sovereign culture," making a Riyadh debut a powerful statement for his base. Conversely, opposition leaders have hinted at a return to Western contests if they win. Because the Riyadh contest falls after the elections, Hungary’s entry will serve as the first major signal of the country's new (or reaffirmed) cultural direction.
Moldova
Much like Serbia, Moldova is emerging as a "bridge" participant, uniquely positioned between its European aspirations and its historical roots. Despite its strong push for EU integration, Moldova remains deeply embedded in the cultural and musical network of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Moldovan artists are already household names across Eurasia, giving the country a built-in advantage in the Intervision televote.
The "Eastern Pool"
While the core of the contest is built around returning favorites like Serbia and Belarus, other nations with strong Russian ties are being watched closely as potential late entries or for future events (2027+). Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a complex case; while the national broadcaster BHRT faces severe financial hurdles, the autonomous Republika Srpska region maintains robust cultural and political ties with Russia, which could provide a backdoor for Bosnian talent to reach the Riyadh stage. Similar logic applies to Georgia and Armenia, nations that, despite their own European ambitions, maintain deep traditional and economic links to the Eurasian cultural sphere, making an Intervision debut a strategic possibility for 2026. Armenia, in particular, received an invitation for 2025 but declined, and it is not expected to accept one for 2026(we explored the possibilities here)
The ride is long and is still early on. Hold tight!!
Written by Manios Themis
Intervision Song Contest specialist. Combines a Computer Science background with exhaustive knowledge of every edition (1965 Golden Clef, 1977–1980 Sopot era, 2025 revival, and Saudi Arabia 2026). Author and curator of the most complete independent Intervision archive online.
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