🇨🇾 Road to Malmö: Cyprus

It’s Tuesday, November 11, 2025, and time for another weekly update! This week’s news covers a Eurovision 2026 artist reveal for Cyprus. There’s a potential Canada Eurovision debut backed by government support. Several countries returning to the contest. At last, a flurry of national final developments across Europe. Here are this week’s top stories: 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Antigoni to Eurovision 2026 Antigoni Buxton will represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, becoming the country’s first confirmed act for the contest’s 70th edition. The London-born singer, known simply as ANTIGONI, is a British Greek-Cypriot artist. She gained fame on Love Island UK 2022. CyBC (Cyprus’ broadcaster) internally selected the 27-year-old. The decision was announced on November 6 via Instagram and a press release. Antigoni’s music blends pop and R&B with Greek influences, and she has released popular singles like “You Can Have Him” and “Sleeping Alone”. In a statement, CyBC praised her as “a modern voice for a new generation of Cypriot music”. We now eagerly await her Eurovision song reveal in the coming months. source: CyBC 2026 🇨🇦 Canada: Government Opens Door for Eurovision 2026 Debut For the first time, Canada is officially exploring a Eurovision Song Contest debut. The Canadian government’s 2025 federal budget directs CBC/Radio-Canada to explore Eurovision participation and provides a $150 million funding boost to the public broadcaster. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirms it is in very early talks with CBC about joining Eurovision 2026. However, the EBU has not reached a final decision yet. Canada would need a special invitation to compete as a non-EBU member (like Australia’s 2015 entry). Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne voiced excitement about the idea. He calls Eurovision “a platform for Canada to shine.” If the EBU gives the green light, Eurovision 2026 in Vienna could mark Canada’s debut. Returning Countries Confirmed for Eurovision 2026 The EBU confirmed that three countries will return to Eurovision in 2026 after recent absences. Moldova, Bulgaria, and Romania will rejoin the competition in Vienna. Moldova comes back after skipping Eurovision 2025. Romania returns after a two‑year break, while Bulgaria ends a three‑year hiatus. Executive Supervisor Martin Green welcomed TRM, TVR, and BNT. He said their comebacks “remind us of the enduring power of the Contest.” They also show what it means to be “united by music.” With these additions, 31 countries have confirmed participation so far. The EBU plans to announce the final lineup in December as more confirmations arrive. It has also extended the application deadline to mid‑December. source: Eurovision.tv National Final Updates The road to Eurovision 2026 is heating up with national selection news from across Europe: 🇲🇩 Moldova Teleradio-Moldova (TRM) has opened song submissions for Selecția Națională 2026, Moldova’s national final. The submission window runs from November 7 to December 7, 2025. Moldova is returning to Eurovision after a year’s absence. Its national final will take place on January 17, 2026, at Chișinău Arena. source: Eurovoix 🇦🇱 Albania Albania’s broadcaster RTSH announced that all 28 entries for Festivali i Këngës 64 will be released on November 21. Festivali i Këngës, the Albanian national final, is set for December 17–20 in Tirana, featuring 28 competing artists vying for the ticket to Vienna. source: Eurovoix 🇵🇹 Portugal The Portuguese broadcaster RTP has revealed it received 660 songs via the open submissions for Festival da Canção 2026. We can call this an overwhelming response from artists. A jury will now select six of these entries to compete in FdC 2026, joining several invited acts. Portugal’s national final will consist of two semifinals and a Grand Final in early 2026. source: RTP 🇱🇹 Lithuania November 11 is the last day to submit songs for Eurovizija.lt 2026. The submission period opened August 18 and closes tonight. LRT’s selection committee will then shortlist at least 30 songs by November 25 to compete in the televised shows. The Lithuanian selection kicks off with multiple heats in January, and will culminate in a national final on February 27, 2026, in Vilnius. source: Eurovoix Each of these developments brings us closer to the full Eurovision 2026 lineup. Stay tuned for more updates as national finals season gets into full swing and additional countries confirm their participation.