Eurovision 2026: 15 countries vying for a slot in the first semi-final this Tuesday

This Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Eurovision Song Contest will reveal the name of its new winner in a grand final held in Vienna, Austria. In the meantime, the musical event, followed by millions of viewers, must crown the finalists of this 70th edition. The first of the two semi-finals is one not to be missed on May 12. Without further ado, discover the songs of the 15 countries in the running this Tuesday evening.

There are 15. Fifteen countries vying this Tuesday, May 12, 2026 during the first semi-final of Eurovision. All share one goal: to secure a spot in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest alongside France, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom. It’s worth noting that these nations, the famous Big 4 of Eurovision—with Austria added this year—are automatically qualified and don’t have to endure the dreaded semi-final stage.

While many fans are eagerly awaiting the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, others are keen to find out who will join the finalists of this 70th Eurovision edition.

In France, the first of the two semifinals will be broadcast live this Tuesday evening on France 4. It pits 15 countries against each other, namely Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Finland (leading the favorites this year), Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland and Serbia. At the end of the night, only 10 nations will advance to the grand final. We’ll get to know these 15 countries and their competing songs in the first semifinal.

Eurovision 2026: The 15 competing songs for the first semi-final, listed 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" (New Dawn)

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

Israel: Noam Bettan – "Michelle"

Belgium: ESSYLA - "Dancing on the Ice"

There is no French text to translate—the snippet is just an embedded video. The HTML remains unchanged. If you’d like, I can add a natural English caption or description to accompany it.

Lithuania: Lion Ceccah — "Sólo Quiero Más"

San Marino: SENHIT - "Superstar"

Poland: ALICJA - "Pray"

Serbia: LAVINA – "Kraj Mene"

Note that the semifinals unfold in two stages, with a first cut on May 12 and a second planned for May 14. After these two semifinals, we will know the countries chosen for the grand final on May 16. Five countries are already through to the final stage. It should be recalled that the automatically qualified countries will also perform during these semifinals. This Tuesday, May 12, Italy and Germany will unveil their song.

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 semifinal of the Eurovision is scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at 9:00 PM, and will see 15 countries compete, among them Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, Albania, Malta and Norway. That night, Monroe - the French contestant already through - will perform her song "Regarde !".