Eurovision 2026: 15 countries in the running this Tuesday for the first semi-final

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Eurovision Song Contest will reveal the name of its new winner in a grand final staged in Vienna, Austria. Until then, the musical spectacle, watched by millions of viewers, will determine the finalists of this 70th edition. The first of the two semifinals is not to be missed on May 12. Without further ado, discover the songs from the 15 countries in the running this Tuesday evening.

They number 15. Fifteen countries will compete this Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the first semi-final of the Eurovision. All share a single objective: to secure a spot in the final of the song contest alongside France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It should be noted that these countries, forming the famous Big 4 of the Eurovision — with Austria included this year — are automatically qualified and do not need to go through the daunting semi-final round.

While many fans are eagerly awaiting the grand finale of the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, others are just as eager to learn who the finalists of this 70th edition of Eurovision will be.

In France, the first of the two semi-finals will be broadcast live this Tuesday evening on France 4. It features 15 countries: Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Finland (leading the favourites this year), Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland and Serbia. At the end of the evening, only 10 nations will advance to the grand final. We learn about these 15 entrants and their songs competing in the first semi-final.

Eurovision 2026: the 15 competing songs for the first semi-final (in running order)

Moldova: Satoshi - "Viva, Moldova!"

Sweden: FELICIA - "My System"

Croatia: LELEK — "Andromeda"

Greece: Akylas – "Ferto"

Portugal: Bandits of the Cante - "Rosa"

Georgie: Bzikebi — "On Replay"

Finland: Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – "Liekinheitin"

Montenegro: Tamara Živković - "Nova Zora"

Estonia: Vanilla Ninja - "Too Epic To Be True"

Israel: Noam Bettan – "Michelle"

Belgium: ESSYLA - "Dancing on the Ice"

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Lithuania: Lion Ceccah — "Sólo Quiero Más"

San Marino: SENHIT - "Superstar"

Poland: ALICJA - "Pray"

Serbia: LAVINA – "Kraj Mene"

Note how the semifinals unfold in two stages, with the first round on May 12 and a second slated for May 14. After these two semifinals, we’ll know which countries advance to the grand final on May 16. Five countries are already booked for the final round. A reminder: countries already qualified will also perform in these semifinals. On Tuesday, May 12, Italy and Germany will unveil their songs.

Eurovision 2026: the songs of the five countries that qualified automatically
There are five. Five countries have earned a direct pass to the Eurovision 2026 grand final, set for May in Vienna, Austria. So, who are they? Get to know the representatives and their songs from these five countries that are already qualified. [Read more]

The second Eurovision semifinal is scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at 9:00 p.m. and will feature 15 countries, including Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, Albania, Malta and Norway. That evening, Monroe — the French entrant already through — will perform her song "Regarde!".