sports
Eurovision 2026: Belgium is barely fighting for a place in the final this year, and a high ranking could only be an unattainable dream
Belgium is coming to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with the song “Dancing on the Ice”, and will be represented by Essyla, whose real name is Alice Van Eesbeeck. This year's Belgian performance will be in the first semi-final, on May 12, where Essyla will perform under number 11 and try to bring Belgium back to the final after two consecutive failures.
TL;DR
- Essyla, real name Alice Van Eesbeeck, will represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026 with the song “Dancing on the Ice”.
- The performance is scheduled for the first semi-final on May 12, with Essyla performing 11th.
- Essyla was chosen internally by the Belgian public broadcaster RTBF.
- The song “Dancing on the Ice” blends pop, electronic rhythm, and a cinematic atmosphere, with lyrics about finding life, freedom, and control.
- The staging will be ambitious, featuring four dancers and choreography by Elena Gambardella and David Vandenplas.
- Belgium has a long Eurovision history but only one win (Sandra Kim in 1986) and has missed the final in recent years.
- Current betting odds suggest Belgium is unlikely to qualify for the final, ranking low in both overall winner predictions and semi-final advancement probabilities.
- Essyla's strengths include vocal stability and performance experience from "The Voice Belgique," along with the song's potential for visual appeal.
- A potential weakness is the song's lack of an immediate, catchy moment, which could hinder televote appeal.
- Essyla's performance needs to be precisely directed, vocally secure, and visually distinct to stand out and achieve qualification.