16th edition

The sixteenth edition of WAO Song Contest took place for the second time ever in the Scandinavian nation of  Sweden, but this time in its capital city Stockholm.

The Friends Arena has been the venue selected for the occasion, with Sanna Nielsen and Måns Zelmerlöw, hosts of the 10th edition of the contest, as presenters. "United" has been the slogan chosen and "Candyland", by the  Latvian music producer Tobu, the theme song.

     Sweden, with its victory in the 15th edition, passed automatically to the final, and also  Kosovo and  Canada, thanks to their results, didn't have to go through the qualification process. 24 countries performed in both semi-finals, with 12 of them qualifying and the ones that arrived 13th having a "Second Chance". 28 nations competed in the final.

    The country that ended up winning has been the host of this edition  Sweden, with Oscar Zia and his "Human".

## Participating artists

**Alice on the roof**
Representing  Belgium**Alvaro Soler**
Representing  Spain**Aminata**
Representing  Latvia**Anahí**
Representing  Mexico**Arilena Ara**
Representing  Kosovo**Ayse Hatun Önal**
Representing  Turkey**Birdy**
Representing the  United Kingdom **Brasco**
Representing  Moldova**Dan Bălan**
Representing  Moldova**Diana Gordon**
Representing  Puerto Rico**Diogo Piçarra**
Representing  Portugal**DJ Antoine**
Representing  Switzerland**Elaine Martins**
Representing  Brazil**ELENA**
Representing  Romania**ELIF**
Representing  Germany**Elisa**
Representing  Vatican City**Emilie Esther**
Representing  Denmark**Fedez**
Representing  San Marino**Francesca Michielin**
Representing  Italy**Gabriela Richardson**
Representing  Andorra**Glance**
Representing  Romania**Inbal Bibi**
Representing  Israel**Ira Losco**
Representing  Malta**Alvaro Soler**
Representing  Spain**Ivi Adamou**
Representing  Cyprus**Jason Kerrison**
Representing  New Zealand**Jelena Tomašević**
Representing  Serbia**K.One**
Representing  New Zealand**Kaliopi**
Representing  North Macedonia**Karetus**
Representing  Portugal**Karin Park**
Representing  Norway**Katarína Knechtová**
Representing  Slovakia**Kensington**
Representing  The Netherlands**Kesh You**
Representing  Kazakhstan**JMSN**
Representing  Albania**Lali**
Representing  Argentina**Lea Michele**
Representing the  United States**Madeline Juno**
Representing  Liechtenstein**Maria Ilieva**
Representing  Bulgaria**Martin Solveig**
Representing  Zimbabwe**MAYSIA**
Representing  Bosnia & Herzegovina**MIKA**
Representing  San Marino**Morat**
Representing  Colombia**Nora Jabri**
Representing  Iraq**Oscar Zia**
Representing  Sweden**Polina Gagarina**
Representing  Russia**Schuster**
Representing  Chile**Sheppard**
Representing  Australia**Softengine**
Representing  Finland**Soprano**
Representing  Monaco**Tal**
Representing  France**Tamta**
Representing  Greece**Tany Vander**
Representing  Moldova**The Beat Shakers**
Representing  Switzerland**The Birthday Massacre**
Representing  Canada**The Makemakes**
Representing  Austria**The Nuts**
Representing  South Korea**Tkay Maidza**
Representing  Zimbabwe**Walking On Cars**
Representing  Ireland**Yall**
Representing  Andorra**Yvonne Sangudi**
Representing  Tanzania
## Returning artists

**Arilena Ara**
Previous participation: 13th edition for  Albania**Dan Bălan**
Previous participation: 8th edition as part of O-Zone for  Moldova**ELENA**
Previous participation: Special edition 1 for  Romania**Elisa**
Previous participations: 12th edition for  Italy and 13th edition for  Vatican City**Francesca Michielin**
Previous participations: 4th edition for  San Marino, 11th edition for  Vatican City and 13th edition for  Italy**Glance**
Previous participation: Special edition 1 for  Romania**Ira Losco**
Previous participation: 14th edition for  Malta**Ivi Adamou**
Previous participation: 3rd edition for  Cyprus**Jelena Tomašević**
Previous participation: 8th edition for  Serbia**Madeline Juno**
Previous participation: 5th edition for  Liechtenstein**Maria Ilieva**
Previous participation: 5th edition for  Bulgaria**MIKA**
Previous participation: 3rd edition for  Lebanon**Tamta**
Previous participations: 2nd edition for  Cyprus, 4th edition for  Georgia and 10th edition for  Greece

## Semi-final 2

Also  Kosovo and  Canada voted in this semi final.

## Second Chance

Every country gave 1 point to its favourite country. Two countries qualified. Voting was not compulsory.