Moldova: Satoshi wins Selecția Națională 2026

In a red-hot edition of Moldovan national final Selecția națională Satoshi proved victorious, earning his spot at Eurovision 2026 with the song Viva, Moldova!

Vlad Sabajuc known by his stage name Satoshi is a 27-year-old singer-songwriter hailing from Cahul, Moldova. He's been steadily gaining momentum across Moldova and Romania, collaborating with the likes of Irina Rimes, Carla's Dreams and Guess Who - staples of the local music industry.

Viva, Moldova! is an ode to his home country and is packed with references to local culture, music and people underneath the otherwise simple pop veneer. The entry received the largest in-house crowd response and stood out for its energetic but well-executed staging with the best hook of the night.

This year's edition of Selecția Națională saw a dramatic-increase in song quality, staging and visual design following their withdrawal in 2025. Fans were also delighted to see Eurovision royalty Jamala, Paula Seling and Natalia Gordienko grace the stage as performers but also as jurors.

Results: Selecția Națională 2026

Satoshi gained 12 points from the Moldovan jury, international jury and public televote, a full clean sweep!

1. Satoshi – Viva, Moldova! – 12 points (36 votes)

2. Pavel Orlov – Can’t Say Goodbye – 10 points (26 votes)

3. Cătălina Solomac – Pink Margarita – 8 points (25 votes)

4. Dayana – Doina – 7 points (18 votes)

5. Bacho – Tata – 6 points (10 votes)

6. Maxim Zavidia – Allo – 5 points (10 votes)

7. Curly – Respir liber – 4 points (9 votes)

8. sasha flowers – We Fight Till the End – 3 points (8 votes)

9. Artiom Topal – Money – 2 points (7 votes)

10. Evghenii Avramov – Foc la ghete – 1 point (6 votes)

11. Emforia – Tipare – 0 points (5 votes)

12. Katy Rain – Dance & Cry – 0 points (5 votes)

13. Ilinca Sivioreanu – Running Through the Rain – 0 points (4 votes)

14. Cristy Rouge – Bliss – 0 points (4 votes)

15. valleria – Valerian Steel – 0 points (1 vote)

16. Adelisha – Alegria – 0 points (0 votes)

Moldova's History at Eurovision

Moldova debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 with the song Boonika Bate Doba by the group Zdob și Zdub. Their best result was a 3rd place in 2017 with the song Hey Mamma by Sunstroke Project. The country is known for their uniquely wonderful entries and creative staging - often bagging a hefty televote. Molvoda has always been small but mighty at the contest.

Viva Moldova! will compete in the first half of the first semi-final this year in Vienna.

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