Since its very first edition in 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest has continuously grown in both size and prestige. What began as a small event with just seven participating countries—Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland—has evolved into one of the world’s biggest televised music competitions. Over the decades, more nations have joined the contest, reaching a record-high of 43 participating countries in the editions of 2008, 2011, and 2017. As Eurovision 2025 approaches, fans are once again wondering: will we see any new countries joining the contest for the very first time?
The Expansion of Eurovision After the Cold War
The 1990s marked a major turning point for Eurovision. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, and the inclusion of Eastern European countries through the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) integration of former OIRT (International Radio and Television Organisation) members, a wave of new nations entered the contest. Bulgaria and Moldova were the last former Soviet bloc countries to debut, doing so in 2005. This wave of expansion not only diversified the musical landscape of Eurovision but also symbolized a new era of openness and inclusion, further boosting the show’s global appeal.
Still Waiting: The European Countries Yet to Debut
While the majority of European nations have already stepped onto the Eurovision stage, a few notable absentees remain. Among the European territories that have never competed are Vatican City, Liechtenstein, and Kosovo (as a fully independent state). Both Liechtenstein and Kosovo have expressed interest in joining the EBU, which is a necessary step for participation, but they have yet to attain full active membership. Kosovo’s aspirations are complicated by its limited international recognition, which blocks its access to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)—a key requirement for joining the EBU.
The Last to Join: Australia and Other Latecomers
In recent memory, the last EBU active members to debut at Eurovision were Azerbaijan and San Marino, both in 2008. However, the most groundbreaking addition to the contest came in 2015 with the participation of Australia. As the first Oceanian country to join the European music competition, Australia’s entry was initially planned as a one-off to celebrate Eurovision’s 60th anniversary. Yet, due to overwhelming viewer interest and the country’s strong broadcasting ties with the contest (dating back to 1983), Australia has remained a fixture ever since, even competing in the semi-finals starting from 2016.
Australia’s inclusion was a symbolic moment for Eurovision. It signaled the possibility of an increasingly global future for the contest, something EBU Executive Supervisor Sietse Bakker has spoken about. According to Bakker, countries such as Australia, China, the United States, and Brazil see Eurovision as a unique platform to launch artists internationally, and the contest has grown thanks to these rising levels of global interest.
Common Misconceptions: Who Can Join Eurovision?
A widespread misconception persists among casual fans—that only countries within Europe or the European Union can participate in Eurovision. However, geography and politics do not strictly determine eligibility. Several participating countries have territories in Asia, such as Israel, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Even Morocco, an African nation, competed once in 1980. The two most important criteria for participation are: being a country with broad international recognition and being an active member of the European Broadcasting Union. Australia remains a unique exception due to its status as an associate member with a longstanding history of broadcasting the contest.
Which Countries Could Debut in Eurovision 2025?
As we look ahead to the 2025 season, there remains hope that some new countries might finally make their debut. Several active EBU members that have never participated in Eurovision include Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia, and Vatican City. These countries technically meet the membership requirement but have not taken the step of sending a representative to the contest. While the political and cultural landscapes of these nations pose varying challenges, the door remains open for future debuts.
Kosovo and Kazakhstan: The Most Likely Newcomers?
Two names frequently surface in discussions about potential Eurovision debuts: Kosovo and Kazakhstan. Both have shown sustained interest in joining the contest. Kosovo has been attempting to gain full EBU membership since its 2008 declaration of independence but remains ineligible due to its limited diplomatic recognition and lack of ITU membership. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, has been an associate member of the EBU since 2016 and participated several times in Junior Eurovision (2018–2022). However, Kazakhstan is currently outside the European Broadcasting Area and is not a member of the Council of Europe, both of which are technical barriers to full participation in the senior contest.
Countries That Have Shown Interest in Joining Eurovision
Over the years, several non-participating countries and territories have expressed interest in joining Eurovision. Among them:
- Qatar: Expressed interest around 2009 and hoped to debut in 2011, but the lack of an EBU-affiliated broadcaster has stalled any progress.
- China: Broadcasted Eurovision in 2015 and showed interest in participating the following year. However, censorship during the 2018 semi-final broadcast led to a ban from airing the rest of the contest.
- Faroe Islands & Greenland: Despite being part of the Kingdom of Denmark, they are not eligible for EBU membership as they lack full independence.
- Gibraltar, Scotland, and Wales: These territories face similar barriers. Gibraltar is not independent, and Wales and Scotland are represented under the United Kingdom’s single BBC entry, although Wales did participate in Junior Eurovision in 2018 and 2019.
- Lebanon: Was set to debut in 2005 but withdrew due to laws prohibiting the broadcast of Israeli content.
- Liechtenstein: Attempted to debut in 1976 and renewed interest in 2008–2010 and again in later years, but a lack of a national broadcaster and funding issues have prevented its inclusion.
- Tunisia: Planned to debut in 1977 but withdrew shortly before the event, reportedly due to Israel’s participation.
- The Soviet Union: Even the former USSR explored the possibility of joining Eurovision in the late 1980s, before its eventual dissolution.