Ukraine: “Vidbir 2026” Wildcard Songs Dropped

Ukraine will select a song for Eurovision 2026 via “Vidbir 2026.”
15 songs made it to the longlist.
The national broadcaster Suspilne shortlisted 9 of them to qualify for the final.

1. Jerry Heil — “Catharticus” (Prayer)
2. LAUD — “Lightkeeper”
3. LELÉKA— “Рідним” (Eng: Native)
4. MOLODI — “The Legends”
5. Monokate — “Tуt” (Tut)
6. Mr. Vel — “Do or Done”
7. The Elliens — “Crawling Whispers”
8. Valeriya Force — “Open Our Hearts”
9. ShchukaRyba — “Моя земля” (Eng: My Land)

The 6 remaining artists will compete in the wildcard round. You can listen to their songs here:

Playlist

1. KHAYAT — “Hertzi”
2. Karyotype — “DNA”
3. MON FIA — “Do You Hear Me?”
4. ANSTAY — “By the Way”
5. Marta Adamchuk — “Silvered Pines”
6. OKS — “SAY IT ALL“

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The Line-Up

Among the names, we can detect familiar faces like:

• Jerry Heil represented Ukraine in Eurovision 2024 (together with Alyona Alyona)
• Monokate is Kateryna Anatoliivna Pavlenko, the lead singer of Go_A, who represented Ukraine in Eurovision 2020 and 2021
• The Elliens lead singer is Olena Usenko, who represented Ukraine in Junior Eurovision 2021
• KHAYAT and LAUD competed in the national selection in the past

“Vidbir 2026” – Knows Details

1. The public will be able to vote for one of the six remaining acts in the wildcard round. The winner of the wildcard round will be revealed by January 15th, 2026, and will get a ticket to the final.
2. The “Vidbir 2026” songs will be released on January 15th, 2026.
3. “Vidbir 2026” final will be held on February 7th, 2026.
4. The contest’s slogan will be “Be Unique“.
5. The public broadcaster and Superhumans will host a charity fundraiser for veterans’ prosthetics as part of the show.
6. The results will be based on a fixed point system, composed of 50% public vote and 50% national jury panel.

Jamala, who represented Ukraine in Eurovision 2016 and won the contest, will serve as the music producer for “Vidbir 2026.”

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Jamala commented:

“It was a very difficult choice – the formation of the National Team 2026 shortlist. Audience voting ahead. And I want to ask everyone not to forget about the wildcard, because the fate of six artists is decided. “That is why it is very important that the viewers are active and vote for their favorites”

Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026.