|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Let’s be honest, the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest national final season has felt decidedly low key. With five nations missing, and preselection shows lacking much of the usual fanfare, the impression I get is of broadcasters less willing to shout about Eurovision. Possibly because the brand isn’t at its strongest. This weekend is the last one before the EBU deadline for song submission, so you can expect the remaining ‘internal selection’ songs to surface thick and fast.
Azerbaijan remembered they need to take care of Eurovision admin. JIVA (pictured) has been selected to fly their flag in Vienna. She last had a go at Eurovision back in 2011, and won the third season of The Voice of Azerbaijan. The song is due ‘later’ – which almost certainly means later next week.
Remember Czechia? ČT plans to release its Eurovision song on Monday morning. Their tease graphics suggest someone ‘unknown’ and male, with at least one eye. Which pretty much covers most of the entry pool this year, really.
Denmark’s Eurovision song is staying in Danish, and the swear words are going from “For vi går hjem” – obviously! Fucking becomes freaking, and the world gets to sleep at night. And while I’m on, DR has announced that Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2027 will take place on Saturday 13 February in Sydbank Arena, Kolding.
France has picked 17-year-old TV talent show winner French-American Monroe to represent them at Eurovision 2026. She’s a bit operatic (and very devout), so make of that what you will. My prediction: both singer and song will divide fandom.
Over in Greece, Akylas has finished work on a promo video for “Ferto” – expect it any day now. There is as yet no confirmation of what to expect in terms of sponsorship product placement.
In Georgia, Bzikebi are recording their Eurovision song ready for submission early next week.
To a chorus of disapproval, Israel unveiled its Eurovision song. Noam Bettan’s song “Michelle” was released yesterday. If you want to know what Fandom thinks, go to any social. Or make up your own mind, your call, really.
Back before Christmas, Montenegro chose a song for Vienna. ‘Nova Zora’ has been revamped and Tamara Živković has made a sparkly lovely new music video. Hear it on Sunday at 12:00 CET on MNE Play and shortly after at the official Eurovision YouTube channel.
With a national final airing this weekend in Poland, you can hear snippets from the competing songs at the TVP website.
Portugal – and RTP has released the running order for the final of Festival da Canção 2026. Voting is now open at vote.rtp.pt. Remember just three of the acts in the running are prepared to take part in Eurovision. Could be fun (said nobody ever about Festival da Canção).
San Marino has chopped and changed its final line-up without explanation, so although we’ve listed what we think you’ll see, it’s anyone’s guess. But maybe that’s part of the fun.
Sweden and Saturday sees the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2026 – check out the running order and preview the songs. My hot take – it’s not been a vintage year.
If you’re waiting to hear what’s coming from Switzerland, March 11 is your D-Day when Veronica Fusaro’s song is released. I’m going out on a limb and saying the Swiss aren’t yet ready to risk having to host the show again, yet.
The UK act Look Mum, No Computer officially released ‘Eins Zwei Drei’ this morning on the Scott Mills show. Amusingly GB News is frothing at the gammony mouth about the title being in German, adding: ‘The song also appears to take a swipe at elements of British culture.’ BTL commentator Carole was quick to post “What a load of trash”. Job done then.
