Kazakhstan will not be able to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 because it does not meet the criteria for full membership in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). This is stated in an EBU statement. The information is reported by Politico.

According to the same report, Kazakhstan’s state television and radio company, Khabar, submitted an application to participate in the contest. The broadcaster is an associate member of the EBU.

The EBU stated that full membership in the organization is available to countries within the European Broadcasting Area, as well as member and observer states of the Council of Europe.

“Kazakhstan does not meet any of these criteria. Therefore, at this stage, Khabar cannot claim full membership,” the European Broadcasting Union said.

At the same time, Khabar denies reports that it submitted an application to participate in Eurovision 2027.

“Khabar Agency officially denies media reports claiming that Kazakhstan submitted an application to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. This information is not true,” Khabar said.

The Kazakh broadcaster says it submitted an application to the EBU in 2025 to participate in the 2026 contest, but was rejected at the time.

Part of Kazakhstan’s territory is geographically located in Europe, but the country is not part of the European Broadcasting Area. According to Politico, the EBU did not make an exception for Kazakhstan, although Australia has participated in Eurovision for several years, and Canada will also take part in the contest in 2027.

Kazakhstan has participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest five times and has finished second twice.