Who are Bandidos do Cante? Meet Portugal’s Eurovision 2026 entry

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As a huge music fan, I’m so excited – Eurovision kicks off tonight! The first 15 performers are taking the stage, all hoping to earn a spot in Saturday’s big finale. It’s going to be a great night!

Austria won the competition in 2025, so they will host this year’s event in Vienna. It promises to be an exciting night, as the contest marks its 70th anniversary.

Okay, let me tell you about Bandidos do Cante, representing Portugal this year. They’re a really promising group, and honestly, they’ve got the potential to give Portugal a serious shot at winning the whole competition. I’m keeping a close eye on them – they could be ones to watch!

Read on to learn more about the band as they prepare to take the Eurovision stage by storm.

Who is Portugal Eurovision 2026 entry Bandidos do Cante?

Instagram: @bandidosdocante

TikTok: @bandidosdocante

Bandidos do Cante is a Portuguese music group consisting of Miguel Costa, Duarte Farias, Francisco Raposo, Luís Aleixo, and Francisco Pestana.

This group is famous for blending Cante Alentejano – a traditional, unaccompanied vocal music from Portugal’s Alentejo region – with modern pop music.

The band’s first single, “Amigos Coloridos,” quickly became a hit, rising to become the most-played song on Portuguese radio stations.

What has Bandidos do Cante said about representing Portugal at Eurovision 2026?

As a huge fan of Eurovision, I was thrilled to see this band win Portugal’s national selection! They immediately posted on Instagram, and their message was so heartwarming. They thanked everyone who supported them and emphasized that this win wasn’t just for them – it was a win for all of Portugal! They said they’re experiencing some truly incredible days, and honestly, you could feel their excitement!

It was great being at the festival with everyone – both fellow competitors and colleagues! Thanks so much to the entire team at @festivaldacancao.rtp. Looking forward to seeing you all in Vienna.

What is Portugal’s Eurovision 2026 song called?

Bandidos do Cante will represent Eurovision with the song Rosa.

You can listen to the full song below.

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Where did Portugal come in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest?

Portugal placed 21st at last year’s Eurovision competition. Their song, “Deslocado,” performed by NAPA, received 50 points.

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The Eurovision Song Contest has received a lot of criticism for letting Israel participate this year, given the current war happening in Gaza.

Several countries are choosing not to participate in this year’s contest because the European Broadcasting Union decided against banning Israel from competing.

In December 2025, the EBU held a meeting where members voted to create rules preventing governments or outside groups from unfairly boosting certain songs to sway voting results. However, they did not vote on whether Israel would be allowed to participate.

I’m getting word from the EBU that they’ve decided not to revisit the question of whether Eurovision 2026 should go ahead. Apparently, the vast majority of their members feel no further vote is needed, and the contest will proceed as planned, but with some extra safety measures in place. So, good news for fans – Eurovision 2026 is still on!

I was really disappointed to learn that Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland have all decided not to compete in Eurovision this year. It just won’t be the same without them!

Ireland’s public broadcaster, RTÉ, has decided not to participate in this year’s contest, citing the devastating loss of life and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which continues to endanger civilians.

The BBC, the UK broadcaster for the competition, backs the EBU’s decision. In a statement, they explained it’s about following the competition’s rules and ensuring everyone feels welcome.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final will take place on Saturday 16 May 2026.

You can find a complete list of Eurovision winners, as well as see how many times the United Kingdom has been victorious in the competition.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-05-12 21:35