Belgium’s journey in the Eurovision Song Contest continues for the 66th time this year in Malmö, with representatives alternating between Flanders and Wallonia, reflecting the country’s linguistic and regional diversity. Recent years have seen both regions achieve success with strong performances and impressive rankings. However, there have also been setbacks, notably in 2018 and 2019 when the entries failed to qualify for the Grand Final. Memorable highlights include Blanche’s impressive 4th place with “City Lights” in Kiev 2017, Loïc Nottet’s captivating “Rhythm Inside” in Vienna 2015, Laura Tesoro’s energetic 10th place with “What’s The Pressure” in Stockholm, and last year’s surprising 7th place by Gustaphe with “Because Of You” in Liverpool.

Belgium clinched its first and, to date, only victory in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1986 with the upbeat anthem “J’aime la vie” performed by Sandra Kim. Over the years, Belgium has enjoyed numerous strong showings, securing several top 10 finishes.

However, with the introduction of Semi Finals in 2004, Belgium, like many other countries, has encountered challenges in securing a spot in the Grand Final. Out of the past eighteen years, Belgium has only successfully navigated through to the final nine times. It’s important to acknowledge that the competition has grown fiercer over time, with the influx of a greater number of Eastern European nations and even non-European contenders like Australia.

Consequently, some longstanding participants have found it more difficult to secure qualification, making room for newer entrants. Yet, this shift has spurred a positive impact on the calibre of songs presented. The heightened competition compels composers to bring their finest creations to the stage, leaving little tolerance for subpar entries.