Delta Goodrem Wows at Eurovision 2026 Opening!

may have wowed fans with her glamorous red carpet debut – but not everyone was convinced she belongs there.

The Aussie superstar, 41, stunned on Sunday as she arrived at Vienna's Eurovision 2026 opening ceremony in a jaw-dropping shimmering gold gown, proudly waving the Australian flag as she represented the nation on the turquoise carpet.

But while local fans praised Delta as Australia's 'queen' and 'golden girl', many international viewers were left asking the same blunt question: what is Australia doing in Eurovision?

Social media and comment sections quickly lit up with confusion from both overseas and Aussie audiences, many questioning why a country so geographically distant from Europe was competing in the iconic song contest at all.

'Why is Australia allowed to enter a European competition?' one baffled viewer wrote.

Another added: 'Lol Australia entering the Eurovision??! Pity they couldn't sign up to join the Army!'

'Unfortunately Delta could be the absolute best but Australia's distance will mean Australia will never win,' one commenter argued.

'I love Delta but is this really in the spirit of Eurovision?' another asked.

Others took a more sarcastic tone.

'The reason Aussies love Eurovision is because we find it unintentionally hilarious,' one critic wrote.

'Rather than send someone like Delta, we should be sending someone so awful that it gives all the other countries back some of the laughs we've had at their contestants.'

Despite the backlash, Eurovision loyalists were quick to defend Australia's place in the competition, explaining that the nation competes through its long-standing relationship with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the event.

'Australia and Israel are not European,' one fan responded.

'All participating nations are members of the European Broadcasting Union. The whole show promotes international broadcasting cooperation and friendship between peoples.'

Another explained: 'Australia was invited due to its substantial Eurovision fan base and remains eligible through the EBU.'

Back home, however, Delta's supporters were overwhelmingly positive.

'Woohoo she's getting ready to be crowned Queen of Pop,' one fan wrote.

'This is BEYOND epic!!! Our golden girl!' another gushed.

'Our Australian ICON,' added TV personality Marie Vaara.

'If you don't win this Delta then Australia needs to bow out. There is no better voice than yours,' another supporter declared.

Amy Shark also joined in, joking: 'Wow this is like the hunger games!!!'

Rove McManus added: 'WOW! Go get it.'