Bandidos do Cante Triumph at Festival da Canção
The group Bandidos do Cante, with their song 'Rosa', has won Portugal's national selection, the Festival da Canção 2026, and will represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. The selection process involved two semi-finals on February 21 and 28, followed by a final on March 7. Each semi-final featured eight acts, with five from each advancing. The final featured ten performers, with the winner decided by a combination of regional juries from Portugal's seven mainland regions and islands, and public televoting, each accounting for 50% of the total score. In the event of a tie, the public vote was decisive.
Bandidos do Cante secured a total of 22 points, with 12 coming from the public and 10 from the juries. The group began their musical journey in 2022 as a quintet from the Beja region. Its members are Miguel Costa, Duarte Farias, Francisco Raposo, Luís Aleixo, and Francisco Pestana. Originally performing as Amigos do Alentejo, they changed their name to Bandidos do Cante in 2023. In January 2026, the band released their debut album, 'Bairro das Flores'.
Political Context of the Competition
During the festival, a majority of participants declared in December that they would refuse to represent Portugal at Eurovision if they won, in protest against Israel's participation. However, the eventual winners, Bandidos do Cante, did not join this boycott.
"We are signing with success and dedicating it to our families," the band members stated.They also emphasized that "it was their grandparents who taught them the traditional 'cante' singing style that brought them victory at the festival."
"We are ready to represent Portugal with responsibility, respect, and dignity," the winners added.
The top five of the national final were as follows:
- 1. Bandidos do Cante – Rosa, 22 points;
- 2. Dinis Mota – Jurei, 16 points;
- 3. Nunca Mates o Mandarim – Fumo, 16 points;
- 4. João Ribeiro – Canção do querer, 14 points;
- 5. Sandrino – Disposto a tudo, 13 points.
This victory solidifies Bandidos do Cante as worthy representatives of Portugal on the international stage. The Eurovision Song Contest is a massive televised event that often sees cultural expression intersect with global politics. Their winning performance highlights not only the group's musical talent but also their deep connection to Portugal's traditional singing heritage. The boycott announced by other contestants underscores the complex political situations that can influence cultural events. Nevertheless, Bandidos do Cante chose to focus on their artistic mission, aiming to showcase Portuguese culture and music at the highest level. Their success may mark a significant step in promoting Portugal's unique musical traditions to a worldwide audience.