The Eurovision Song Contest is heading toward its 70th edition, which will take place in Vienna (Austria) on May 12, 14, and 16 at the Wiener Stadthalle.
On this occasion, Czechia has once again opted to internally select its representative for the European contest. From the 260 entries received, the broadcaster Česká Televize carried out a multi-phase evaluation process involving a panel of music experts and a demoscopic jury. Ultimately, the chosen artist is Daniel Žižka with “CROSSROADS,” embarking on this Eurovision challenge.
How did he make it to Eurovision? What experience does he have in the music world? How has he prepared for Vienna 2026?
In this edition, we take a look at Daniel Žižka’s musical career, the context of his candidacy, and his song. Czechia’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will try to take his country to the grand final with “CROSSROADS,” in what will be Czechia’s 15th participation in the European contest.
This is Daniel Žižka, alternative pop on stage
Daniel Žižka, born in 2003 in Prague, is a Czech singer, songwriter and actor who has stood out from a very young age for his artistic talent. His passion for music began in childhood, and by the age of 10 he was already writing his own songs while training at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory, a renowned institution focused on jazz and popular music. There he developed his vocal and compositional technique under professional guidance, laying the foundations of his career.
At the age of 15 he recorded his first studio song, at which point he decided to pursue music professionally. At the same time, he expanded his training in musical theatre, combining his two main interests: music and acting. His style moves between alternative and electronic pop, with international influences and a modern approach. All his songs are performed in English, reinforcing his global projection.
During his early years he released music under the stage name Daniell, with singles such as “Wrong”, “Go On”, “Airplane” and “AIM”. The latter track, focused on personal growth, reflected his intention to convey positive messages. In 2024 he released his first EP, Talk, consolidating his artistic evolution, and in 2025 he presented “Never Felt Like Less”, where he showed greater interpretative maturity.
In addition to his music career, Daniel has developed a career as an actor in film and television, participating in various Czech productions since 2018. This facet has helped strengthen his stage presence and expressive ability.
He combines his professional activity with continuous training, both academic and self-taught, and performs concerts in clubs across his country. He also works as a vocal coach, supporting new generations of artists. His growing popularity places him as one of the emerging talents of Czech music.
In 2026 he is internally selected to represent Czechia at Eurovision with the song “CROSSROADS”.
This is “CROSSROADS,” Daniel Žižka’s entry to represent Czechia at Eurovision 2026
Daniel Žižka is responsible for representing Czechia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with “CROSSROADS” (Crossroads). On March 11, his entry was released along with the official music video. The song was composed by Daniel Žižka himself together with Viliam Béreš.
With “CROSSROADS,” the singer shows his most personal and vulnerable side. From personal uncertainty, an “unknown voice” symbolizes the impulse to explore the unknown and grow on one’s own, even if that means getting lost in a world full of possible paths where everything is interconnected. Throughout this struggle between the need for guidance and the desire to discover one’s own path, the relationship of human beings with themselves, with suffering, and with the world they inhabit is questioned.
Lyrics
English
Follow a voice unknown
Learn how to swim in open waters on your own
A jar hollow won’t reach the ocean floor
Where foreign fields and tangled strings unfold
Mother, I’ll get lost without a map
There’s too many ways
Inside this vicious spider web
Crossroads, patterns and exceptions interwoven
I’m amazed how well we get unwell
Then trade our pain for metal frame
Oh, I gotta find what’s out there
Mother, I’ll get lost without a map
There’s too many ways
Inside this vicious spider web
Crossroads, pattеrns and exceptions interwovеn
We are creatures wired well for this space
We’re the human race
Oh, we try our best to operate on pure love and rage
Ungrateful child in a golden cage
For Mother Earth, man cannot change
Oh, crossroads… Yeah, yeah
Czechia at Eurovision: A Quick History
Czechia debuted in Eurovision in 2007 with the last place in the semifinals by the group Kábat, beginning a period of poor results that continued in 2008 and 2009. After that, the country withdrew for five years. It returned in 2015, and in 2016 reached its first final with Gabriela Gunčíková. Its greatest success came in 2018, when Mikolas Josef achieved 6th place with “Lie To Me”.
In 2019 it maintained a good level with an 11th place, and in subsequent years it alternated qualifications with some eliminations. Notably, Vesna achieved an unexpected 10th place in Liverpool 2023. In 2024 Aiko finished 11th, just 5 points away from qualifying. In 2025, ADONXS dropped one place, finishing 12th in the semifinals.