Fantasia Contest 26

The Fantasia Contest 26 was the twenty-sixth edition of the Fantasia Contest. It took place in Ruyjin Republic, the winning country of Fantasia Contest 25.

Fourty-six countries confirmed their participation in the contest, with Suuher debuting and Scandavia returned in the contest, while Alkyria, Corzazjan, Decoria, Freyhurst, Neocastria and Sylvan withdrew, the later three countries initially confirmed participation and initially fourty-nine countries confirmed their participation in the contest.

The winner of the contest was Glacea with the song "Chaeri" by Magdalena Bay, which scored 463 Points, 116 Points ahead of five-time runner-up Flírskmasto, while Ninelie, which placed 3rd, has scored their best result in the contest since their debut in the first edition. Fordia and Dýria completed the top 5.

Of the automatic qualifiers, as mentionned previously, Flírskmasto placed the highest, finishing second. Torlova and Ka'a and Kehbe finished on the top half, respectively 11th and 13th, Wedse placed 19th while the host country, the Ruyjin Republic placed last, with 23 Points, the lowest score ever received in a Fantasian Grand Final (as of the 26th edition).

Format
The competition will consist of three semi-finals and a final. The countries with the highest score in each semi-final will qualify to participate in the final, alongside the big five, the countries that were in the top 5 in the previous edition.

Semi-final 1
will also vote in this semi final.

Semi-final 2
and will also vote in this semi final.

Semi-final 3
and will also vote in this semi final.

Sia gets kicked out of the arena
During the qualifier reveal on 28 November 2021, famed "singer" Sia was forcefully removed from the BK Arena, where she was due to perform as the opening act with her song "House on Fire", due to being too intoxicated to perform. She was replaced by Halsey at the last minute, who performed her song "I am not a woman, I'm a god".

Other countries
To be eligible to participate in the Fantasia Contest, a country is required to be an active member of the Fantasia Broadcasting Association (FBA). The FBA issued an invitation to all active members of the FBA to participate in the contest.

Active FBA members

 * : On 24 October 2021 it was announced that the broadcaster would temporarily withdraw from the contest due to scheduling issues.
 * : On 24 October 2021 it was announced that the broadcaster would temporarily withdraw from the contest. No further information was given by the Head of Delegation.
 * : On 25 October 2021 it was announced that the broadcaster would permanently withdraw from the contest due to lack of funding. Despite the withdrawal, DRT would remain a member of FBA and would still broadcast the contest, citing a huge interest among the public.
 * : On 5 November 2021, Freyhurst temporarily withdrew from the contest.
 * : Hwaesonna failed to officially confirm or withdraw for the 26th edition, and thus was not on the final list of participants.
 * : Loutriniye failed to officially confirm or withdraw for the 26th edition, and thus was not on the final list of participants.
 * : The broadcaster for Neocastria failed to submit an entry to the FBARG on time and was forced to withdraw from the contest.
 * : The broadcaster for Sylvan failed to submit an entry to the FBARG on time and was forced to withdraw from the contest.