Members of the Euromix editorial team convened to vote for the competing songs in Festivali i Këngës 64. Who should represent Albania at Eurovision according to the editorial team?
The Albanian Eurovision national selection, “Festivali i Këngës”, is set to take place tonight at 21:00 CET, featuring 23 contestants. The winner of this local competition will represent Albania at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. In anticipation of this event, Euromix editorial team members gathered to listen to the participating songs and select their favorites from the Albanian national selection.
Editorial Picks: Who Should Represent Albania?
Avi Zaikaner: First Place – Alis – “Nân”
I already recognized Alis‘ potential last year when I ranked him first in the Albanian national selection. This year he returns with a much stronger and more convincing song—dramatic, catchy, moving, expertly produced, and backed by an impressive orchestra and choir. In my opinion, this is one of the best songs to ever compete in the Albanian selection. If Alis doesn’t win this year, it will be a serious missed opportunity that highlights Albania’s struggle to choose the right song for Eurovision.
Tal Dahan: First Place – Sara Kapo – “Të dua shumë”
I’ll start by saying that Albania is probably my favorite Eurovision country, with amazing songs that hit my personal taste year after year. However, this year’s selection is particularly disappointing. While last year was the strongest selection of the entire season, this year very few songs could take them to the Eurovision final, if any. Therefore, I chose an unconventional entry – “Të dua shumë” by Sara Kapo. The stage performance is simply hypnotic; you can’t take your eyes off her. I have no doubt that anyone watching will remember it. The singer is dressed and made up bizarrely, smearing lipstick across almost her entire face during the performance. The song itself is also very catchy. Since it’s a weak year for Albania anyway – it’s time to troll the audience a bit and mesmerize Europe!
Noy Yehoyada: First Place – Kamela Islamaj – “Pa pretendime”
Kamela Islamaj takes my first place by storm. This isn’t just another song in the competition; it’s an infectious disco celebration that brings a groove to the stage that is impossible to ignore – especially in a selection with so many uninteresting and underwhelming songs. Kamela proves she is a gifted vocalist, delivering a precise, stable, and uplifting performance. However, what truly made the performance unforgettable was the visual presentation: you couldn’t take your eyes off the dancer who appeared in the background, descending the stairs in an Elvis Presley suit and giving a show fit for “The King.” It was a captivating moment that added the perfect touch of flair to the song and made you want to get up and dance along. If Albania wants to bring a well-constructed, great-sounding, and joyful number to Eurovision – this is the choice.
Ofek Jerassi: First Place – Fifi & Tiri Gjoci – “Rri”
At first glance, the Albanian selection seemed very weak, but as time went on, I discovered more and more gems. Without a doubt, the best song in the selection is by Fifi & Tiri Gjoci. The song is very melancholy and somehow touches my emotions. It strongly reminds me of the song “Diafanis” by Theo Evan and Demy, which was released last year as part of “A Little Bit More” and which I loved. I would be very happy if they made it to Vienna; I can see this qualifying for the final.
Maor Heumann: First Place – Inis Neziri – “Ta kam fal”
This time, it has to be hers. Inis Neziri put everything I love about Albanian songs into this track: a fun rhythm, instruments identified with local music, and, of course, her wonderful vocals. In my opinion, it stands above the other songs in this selection, and I hope she finally wins.
Shahar “Chacha” Asido: First Place – Alis – “Nân”
The Albanian selection is long and tedious, but Alis comes to blow us away with an authentic song performed in an amazing and fascinating way. Alis brings something different to the stage – visually, vocally, and authentically. I hope we see him on the Eurovision stage in Vienna!
Neta Geffen: First Place – Alis – “Nân”
There is no doubt that Shkodra Elektronike set a high bar for everyone last year, but this is still a strong and high-quality selection with songs that could succeed on the European stage. “Nân” offers an intimate and moving musical experience, relying on delicate yet confident vocals that convey sincere and authentic emotion throughout. It feels like a genuine statement, and I can definitely see it on the stage in Vienna.
Adiel Shtainmetz: First Place – Fifi & Tiri Gjoci – “Rri”
Albania, you really disappointed me. A particularly weak national selection. The selection is really boring; most of the songs just sound the same. Despite the low level, I managed to find a few good songs in this selection. In first place I chose Fifi and Tiri Gjoci with the song “Rri”. On first listen I did not really connect to the song, but the more I listened to it, the more I connected to it and really came to love it. In my opinion, this is the song that Albania should choose, and it is one of the only songs in the selection that can get them to the final. Good luck Albania, you are going to need it!
Oscar Diefenthal: First Place – Inis Neziri – “Ta kam fal”
Albania is surprising us this year. After years of choosing dark and depressing songs, it seems there is finally a candidate bringing a rhythmic, catchy, and infectious direction, with Greek and Turkish vibes – exactly the kind that could become a European summer hit. If you’ve missed Eleni Foureira, Inis Neziri is absolutely the Albanian version of her (even though Eleni is her own Albanian version). To me, she is the clear favorite. If she wins and represents Albania, I have no doubt she will conquer the Eurovision stage in Vienna effortlessly.
| Avi | Tal | Noy | Ofek | Maor | Shahar | Neta | Adiel | Oscar | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alis | 12 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 79 |
| Inis Neziri | 6 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 78 |
| Fifi & Tiri Gjoci | 7 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 51 |
| Rigersa Loka | 4 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 50 |
| Frensi | 2 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 37 |
| Ghiti | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Sheila | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 32 |
| Kamela Islamaj | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 30 |
| Sara Kapo | 0 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 26 |
| Enxhi Nasufi | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 20 |
| Luna Çausholli | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| Endri Kaçaçi | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 |
| Kleansa Susaj | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| LYNX | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Evi Reçi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Rezarta Smaja | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Lorenc Hasrama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 2Farm | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Vedat Ademi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Erik Lloshi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Gerta Mahmutaj | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gresa Gjocera & Bledi Kaso | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Savjana Vjerdha | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Finalists of Festivali i Këngës 64
- Gerta Mahmutaj – Në krahët e tu
- LYNX – Nuk kthehem pas
- Frensi – Tresh
- Evi Reçi – Kodi i jetës
- Rezarta Smaja – Balukeprera
- Rigersa Loka – Albanian Heart
- Vedat Ademi – Kur fjala mbaron
- Erik Lloshi – Dy pika dashuri
- Kleansa Susaj – Hije
- Sara Kapo – Të dua shumë
- Sheila – Zemra e tokës
- Savjana Vjerdha – Dimër për dimër e vjeshtë për vjeshtë
- 2Farm – Valle mbi hi
- Kamela Islamaj – Pa pretendime
- Gresa Gjocera & Bledi Kaso – Busulla e zemrë
- Inis Neziri – Ta kam fal
- Lorenc Hasrama – Lamtumirë
- Endri Kaçaçi – Si Unë
- Luna Çausholli – Pa kufij
- Alis – Nân
- Ghiti – Okej!
- Enxhi Nasufi – Dritë
- Fifi & Tiri Gjoci – Rri
Eurovision 2026: This will be Albania’s 22nd participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Albania joined the competition in 2004 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2012 when singer Rona Nishliu reached fifth place with the song “Suus”.
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Tal Dahan – Journalist, radio broadcaster, and Eurovision content creator.
Tal Dahan is an Israeli journalist and editor specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest, working with the EuroMix editorial team for four years. Since 2022, she has provided regular on-site coverage of Eurovision from the host city, and from 2023 has also reported directly from the press room—offering the Israeli audience live updates, exclusive interviews, and in-depth commentary.
Tal is a member of the Eurovision tribute and parody band “EuroFalsh,” a radio broadcaster, and a student of political science and communications.
She is considered one of Israel’s leading young Eurovision experts. In addition to covering the main contest, Tal has reported from Eurovision pre-parties and national selection events across Europe (in Thessaloniki, Stockholm, Madrid, and more), been interviewed by major media outlets in Israel and internationally, and presented Eurovision-themed podcasts and radio shows.
