Eurovision 2026: The countries making their comeback
- Kiel Egging
- May 8
- 3 min read
It's always great to see former competing nations make their return to the Eurovision Song Contest.
Let's take a look at which countries are rejoining this year after some short breaks, reacquaint ourselves with their past form, and also learn about who's representing them and their chances.
Moldova
Last competed: 2024
Best ever result: 3rd, Sunstroke Project - Hey Mamma (2017)
2026 artist and song: Satoshi - Viva, Moldova!
Moldova are back this year after their surprise withdrawal from last year's contest in Basel. Broadcaster Moldova 1 made the call to pull out in January 2025 "following a detailed analysis of the current situation, as well as the economic, administrative and artistic challenges".
While they were missed, their hiatus was short-lived when the EBU confirmed their return in November, this time through a different public broadcaster TRM. Plans were also announced for a revamped national final, which was held in early January and won by Satoshi in a landslide.
When they last competed in 2024, Natalia Barbu failed to qualify for the Grand Final, with her song In The Middle finishing 13th in the semi-final. However, reception for Satoshi has been strong ever since he won the national final, and many predict Viva, Moldova! will be perform strongly in the public vote.
Satoshi is set to kick off the competition with a bang - he and his crew are performing first in semi-final 1 on Tuesday 12 May. According to the odds, Satoshi is currently an 87% chance to qualify for the Grand Final and sits 15th in the overall odds to win Eurovision.
Romania
Last competed: 2023
Best ever result: 3rd (twice), Luminita Anghel and Sistem - Let Me Try (2005) and Paula Seling and Ovi - Playing with Fire (2010)
2026 artist and song: Alexandra Căpitănescu - Choke Me
Romania's return to Eurovision comes after they took two years off for financial reasons, and a desire from broadcaster TVR to "improve the quality of our presence at Eurovision".
Their last appearance was in Liverpool in 2023 and sadly their worst placing in the semi-finals, when Theodor Andrei failed to qualify for the final with his song D.G.T. (Off and On), finishing equal last with San Marino in semi-final 2 with zero points.
TVR's goals will certainly be met with Alexandra Căpitănescu in Vienna with the song Choke Me getting a huge reception so far from fans.
Alexandra is performing 3rd in semi-final 2 on Thursday 14 May (which also features Australia). According to the odds, she's currently an 86% chance of qualifying for the Grand Final, and is sitting 8th in the overall odds to win Eurovision.
Bulgaria
Last competed: 2022
Best ever result: 2nd, Kristian Kostov - Beautiful Mess (2017)
2026 Artist and Song: DARA - Bangaranga
Bulgaria last competed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 in Turin, where Intelligent Music Project came 16th in the semi-final out of 17 songs with 29 points. The nation then withdrew from the contest, citing financial reasons.
However, broadcaster BNT announced in November that Bulgaria would return in 2026 - and held a three-show national selection process, culminating in DARA being selected as the country's representative, and then later her song Bangaranga as her entry for the contest.
DARA has the lucky 'honour' of opening semi-final 2 on Thursday 14 May (which also features Australia). According to the odds she's currently an 79% chance of qualifying for the Grand Final and is sitting 14th in the overall odds to win Eurovision.
All three of our returning countries are looking like they'll make successful returns to Eurovision - and who knows, maybe one or more of them will challenge for places in the Top 10!
Which of our returning countries is your favourite and how do you rate their chances? Let us know on Aussievision's socials!
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