Eurovision final set as Semi‑Final Two sends the last 10 qualifiers

Eurovision organizers completed the field for the 2026 Grand Final after Semi-Final Two on May 14 sent the last 10 qualifiers through in Vienna. Fifteen countries performed in the second semi-final at Wiener Stadthalle, and 10 advanced to Saturday’s final, according to Eurovision coverage and the contest’s published running order. Australia and Malta were among the countries that made it through, while Switzerland, Luxembourg and Latvia did not reach the final. The result set a 25-country lineup for the May 16 show, with host nation Austria and the pre-qualified finalists already in place. ### Which countries came through from the second semi-final? Semi-Final Two on May 14 featured 15 competing entries, with Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, Czechia, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, Albania, Malta and Norway taking the stage. France, Austria and the United Kingdom also performed during the broadcast as pre-qualified finalists, but they were not competing for one of the 10 available spots. (eurovisionworld.com) The published Grand Final running order shows that Denmark, Albania, Ukraine, Australia, Malta, Czechia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Norway and Romania advanced from the second semi-final. That left Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Armenia, Switzerland and Latvia out of Saturday’s final from that group. ### Who joins them in Saturday’s final in Vienna? (eurovisionworld.com) The Grand Final on May 16 will have 25 participants, according to the contest running order released after the second semi-final. Austria is pre-qualified as host country, while Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom are also already in the final. Ten countries had already advanced from Semi-Final One earlier in the week, and the 10 qualifiers from Thursday completed the field. (eurovisionworld.com) ORF, the Austrian broadcaster producing this year’s contest, placed Austria in position 25 in the final running order. Denmark will open the show, and Israel will perform third. Australia was assigned slot eight and Malta slot 10. ### Which former contenders missed out? Switzerland, which won Eurovision in 2024 through Nemo, did not qualify from Semi-Final Two this year. (eurovisionworld.com) Luxembourg and Latvia also failed to advance, according to the list of countries that appeared in Thursday’s semi-final and the final lineup published afterward. NPR reported on May 13 that Nemo had criticized Israel’s continued participation and returned the Eurovision trophy to the European Broadcasting Union in a video. (eurovisionworld.com) NPR also said five countries — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland — were boycotting this year’s contest over Israel’s participation, leaving 35 countries competing. (eurovisionworld.com) ### How is the final being staged and voted? The Grand Final running order was decided by producers after allocation draws following the two semi-finals, Eurovision coverage said. ORF, as host broadcaster, arranged the sequence for the May 16 show in Vienna. ESCToday reported that all 35 participating countries will vote in the Grand Final. (wxxinews.org) Each country will award one set of jury points and one set of public televote points, and online viewers in non-participating countries can also vote through the “Rest of the World” system. ### Where does the controversy over Israel fit into Saturday’s show? (eurovisionworld.com) NPR reported that Israel’s participation again turned Eurovision into a political flashpoint this year. The outlet said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez argued earlier in 2026 that Israel should be removed from the contest, and that public broadcasters in Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland withdrew instead. (esctoday.com) NPR also reported that Israel’s entrant, Noam Bettan, is performing “Michelle” and was ranked around sixth in betting odds at the time of its report. Israel is scheduled to perform third in Saturday’s Grand Final, according to the published running order. Saturday’s Grand Final is scheduled for May 16 at 21:00 CEST at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna. (wxxinews.org) The official running order lists 25 entries, opening with Denmark and closing with Austria’s COSMÓ performing “Tanzschein.” (eurovisionworld.com)