Albania is set to be represented at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song "Kërce me mua", composed and produced by Enis Mullaj, lyrics by Eriona Rushiti, and performed by Eslin Kurti. The Albanian participating broadcaster, (RTSH), organised the national final to select its entry for the contest.
Background
Prior to the 2026 contest, (RTSH) had participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest representing Albania eleven times since its first entry in the . Albania has never won the contest, with their best result being in , when Mishela Rapo represented the country with "Dambaje", placing 5th. The nation opted not to take part in the contest in and , and in (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). In , Kroni Pula competed for Albania with the song "", which ended up in 6th place with 145 points.
Before Junior Eurovision
was the 64th edition of organised by the Albanian broadcaster RTSH to select its entry. The participants were divided into two categories: young (ages 5 to 8) and junior (ages 9 to 14), all while being given the lyric sheets to specially-made songs written by well-known Albanian songwriters and recorded those assigned songs in the studio along with a children's choir, who accompanied the competing performances. They competed in different shows to reach the final. The first two nights were on 30 and 31 May and the final aired on 1 June 2026. All three shows were held inside the Migjeni Theatre in Shkodër at 19:00 CET, hosted by Isli Islami and Kroni Pula and broadcast on RTSH 1, RTSH Muzikë and Radio Tirana 1.
+ Participants: Junior artists Artist Song Songwriter(s)Aislin & Mailis Kavaja "" Ameis Demiraj "" Amina Zegullaj "" Anila Mahmudi "" Aria Kolaveri "" Dea Laja "" Eden Vrioni "" Emili Dervishi "" Eslin Kurti "" Etnik Balidemaj "" Grupi Pentagram "" Jasemin Çaku "" Kenza Pilana "" Kleon Prenga "" Laura Spahiu "" Marvin Myshketa "" Mejvis Malecaj "" Rozafa Maka and Prishila Puka "" Xhanali Sharra ""
+ Participants: Young artists Artist Song Songwriter(s)Airis Shehu "" Ajri Drishti "" Alisa and Lisara Dashi "" Amla Veizaj "" Eli Ahmetaj "" Klea Shkreli "" Maria Kalaja "" Marlin Janko "" Mia and Buna Shkenza "" Serena Turhani "" Sofi Tupi ""
Shows The first two shows of the competition took place on 30 and 31 May 2026 in the Migjeni Theatre in Shkodër at 19:00 CET. The first semi-final with a live children's choir performing "". Albanian singer Albana Gojçaj performed as special guest in the first show. More Albanian recording artists, including Kroni Pula and Irma Libohova with "", as well as Anjeza Marku and her niece Roksana with "", performed in the second night.
+Night 1 – 30 May 2026 Artist Song Category 1Kleon Prenga ""Junior 2Marlin Janko ""Young 3Anila Mahmudi ""Junior 4Ameis Demiraj "" 5Ajri Drishti ""Young 6Dea Laja ""Junior 7Mia and Buna Shkenza ""Young 8Mejvis Malecaj ""Junior 9Serena Turhani ""Young 10Jasemin Çaku ""Junior 11Sofi Tupi ""Young 12Rozafa Maka and Prishila Puka ""Junior 13Eli Ahmetaj "" Young 14Eslin Kurti ""Junior 15Etnik Balidemaj ""
+ Night 2 – 31 May 2026 Artist Song Category 1Grupi Pentagram ""Junior 2Amla Veizaj ""Young 3Laura Spahiu ""Junior 4Amina Zegullaj "" 5Xhanali Sharra "" 6Eden Vrioni "" 7Aislin and Mailis Kavaja "Simpa" 8Maria Kalaja ""Young 9Aria Kolaveri ""Junior 10Airis Shehu ""Young 11Kenza Pilana ""Junior 12Klea Shkreli ""Young 13Emili Dervishi ""Junior 14Alisa and Lisara Dashi ""Young 15Marvin Myshketa ""Junior
Final The final of the competition took place on 1 June 2026. The winner of the junior category was given the right to represent the country at the 2026 contest. A children's choir opened the show with "Vera" as they did on the first night of Festivali i 64-të Mbarëkombëtar i Këngës për Fëmijë. Kroni Pula also performed "Fruta perime" as an interval act. The children's jury consisted of Ambra Marku, Amina Hasi, Amla Demushi, Annabel Çoba, Arben Gjeçaj, Arrita Marku, David Kerri, Dean Hoxhaj, Devis Shimaj, Ea Zoga, Eden Dani, Eliza Bushgjokaj, Ensara Sulaj, Gabriel Goraj, Gabriel Shabaj, Ilenia Llanaj, Isra Elmazi, Isra Mashi, Keisi Muça, Kejsi Sinani, Luar Kadija, Marin Kerri, Matilda Simoni, Melsi Puka, Natali Lalaj, Nergis Nikprelaj, Nikol Çabeli, Nivis Sulishti, Rea Lila, Rejna Koçi, Stela Toma, Viola Gjyzeli.
Key: Winner Second place Third place
+Final – 1 June 2026 Artist Song Category Place 1Etnik Balidemaj ""Junior 2Alisa and Lisara Dashi ""Young 3Aria Kolaveri ""Junior 2 4Eli Ahmetaj ""Young 5Xhanali Sharra ""Junior 6Marvin Myshketa "" 7Aislin and Mailis Kavaja "" 8Grupi Pentagram "" 9Marlin Janko ""Young 10Kleon Prenga ""Junior 11Eden Vrioni "" 12Laura Spahiu "" 3 13Ameis Demiraj "" 14Mia and Buna Shkenza ""Young 15Kenza Pilana ""Junior 16Serena Turhani ""Young 17Amla Veizaj "" 18Emili Dervishi ""Junior 19Rozafa Maka and Prishila Puka "" 20Jasemin Çaku "" 21Mejvis Malecaj "" 22Amina Zegullaj "" 23Airis Shehu ""Young 24Maria Kalaja "" 2 25Eslin Kurti ""Junior 1 26Sofi Tupi ""Young 27Ajri Drishti ""Young 1 28Anila Mahmudi ""Junior 29Dea Laja "" 30Klea Shkreli ""Young 3
Controversy To select its entry the Albanian broadcaster has used the national final method of Junior Fest between 2017 and 2024. This was then replaced briefly by in 2025. Originally it was announced that they would use would be used to select their entry. The Albanian Broadcaster RTSH later announced that Junior Fest would be used to select their entry.
Following the announcement of Junior Fest 2026 as the selection method, complaints emerged in Albania with reports that the parents of some participants in considered legal action against RTSH. Following the criticism faced by RTSH, they reached an agreement with the Municipality of Shkodra to use to select their entry for the contest.
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