23rd edition

After the victory of Loïc Nottet, the twenty-third edition of WAO Song Contest took place in Brussels, more precisely in the City of Brussels, the capital of  Belgium.

The Cirque Royal (French) or Koninklijk Circus (Dutch) has been the entertainment venue selected to host the edition, with Loïc Nottet and Tom Dice as presenters of the event. "Embrace The Moment" has been the slogan chosen and the song "Realms", by Hinkik and A Himitsu, the theme song.

     Belgium, thanks to its victory in the 22nd edition, qualified automatically to the final, along with  Croatia and  Finland, which placed second and third. Three semi-finals took place and 8 nations advanced from each one of them. The ones that arrived 9th had a "Second Chance" to qualify. 28 countries competed in the final.

    For the fourth time ever in the contest  Sweden won, and the song which triumphed has been "A Million Years", by the singer Mariette.

## Participating artists

**AGNEZ MO**
Representing  Indonesia**Aldrey**
Representing  Venezuela**Alejandro Fuentes**
Representing  Norway**Amy Lee**
Representing  South Africa**Anne-Marie**
Representing  Jamaica**Ardit Çuni**
Representing  Kosovo**Atiye**
Representing  Turkey**Barbara Opsomer**
Representing  Belgium**BILLY**
Representing  Liechtenstein**BRAVVO**
Representing  Peru**Che-MD**
Representing  Moldova**Chenoa**
Representing  Argentina**Cheryl**
Representing the  United Kingdom**Clean Bandit**
Representing  Jamaica**Conchita WURST**
Representing  Austria**Damares**
Representing  Brazil**Delta Goodrem**
Representing  Australia**Demy**
Representing  Greece**Dimitar Andonovski**
Representing  North Macedonia**Djixx**
Representing  Serbia**Đông Nhi**
Representing  Vietnam**ENA**
Representing  Bosnia & Herzegovina**EVVE**
Representing  Russia**G.E.M.**
Representing  China**Grafa**
Representing  Bulgaria**Greta Zazza**
Representing  Lithuania**Ira Losco**
Representing  Malta**Jedward**
Representing  Ireland**Julien Doré**
Representing  Luxembourg**KALEO**
Representing  Iceland**Katy Perry**
Representing the  United States**Kishe**
Representing  Ukraine**La Lana**
Representing  Croatia**Laleh**
Representing  Iran**LINA MAYER**
Representing  Slovakia**Lindsey Stirling**
Representing  Puerto Rico**Lorde**
Representing  New Zealand**Love of Lesbian**
Representing  Spain**Maluma**
Representing  Colombia**Mariette**
Representing  Sweden**Mariya Nishiuchi**
Representing  Japan**marta bijan**
Representing  Poland**Mina Atta**
Representing  Egypt**Minus One**
Representing  Cyprus**Morat**
Representing  Mexico**Musiqq**
Representing  Latvia**MØ**
Representing  Denmark**Nahuel**
Representing  Paraguay**Paulina Rubio**
Representing  Mexico**Playmen**
Representing  Greece**Poli Genova**
Representing  Bulgaria**Quidam Pilgrim**
Representing  Cuba**Rana Samaha**
Representing  Egypt**Rayhon**
Representing  Uzbekistan**ROD**
Representing  Albania**Samsaya**
Representing  India**Sean Paul**
Representing  Jamaica**Sebastián Llosa**
Representing  Peru**Seether**
Representing  South Africa**Senta**
Representing  Germany**SevdahBABY**
Representing  Serbia**Skip Marley**
Representing the  United States**Soundstreamers**
Representing  Albania**Stephanie Cayo**
Representing  Peru**SUSIE SUH**
Representing  South Korea**Tata Young**
Representing  Thailand**Tenfold Rabbit**
Representing  Estonia**Thanh Bui**
Representing  Thailand**Thegiornalisti**
Representing  Italy**Vasilije Ojdanić**
Representing  Montenegro**Venior**
Representing  Finland**Yoann FreeJay**
Representing  France
## Returning artists

**Amy Lee**
Previous participations: 4th edition for the  United States and 9th edition for  Puerto Rico. Both of them as part of Evanescence**Ardit Çuni**
Previous participation: 12th edition for  Albania**Atiye**
Previous participations: 17th and 21st edition for  Turkey**BRAVVO**
Previous participation: 7th edition as part of Ádammo for  Peru**Cheryl**
Previous participations: 2nd edition as part of Girls Aloud representing  Ireland and 3rd edition as a solo artist for the  United Kingdom**Clean Bandit**
Previous participation: 6th edition for the  United Kingdom**Conchita WURST**
Previous participations: 9th and 18th edition for  Austria**Delta Goodrem**
Previous participations: 13th and 15th edition representing  Australia**Demy**
 Previous participations: 13th and 14th edition representing  Cyprus, 18th edition for  Greece**Đông Nhi**
 Previous participation: 22nd edition for  Vietnam**G.E.M.**
Previous participations: 19th and 21st edition for  China**Grafa**
Previous participations: 6th and 7th edition for  Bulgaria**Ira Losco**
Previous participations: 14th, 16th and 22nd edition for
 Malta**KALEO**
Previous participation: 9th edition for  Iceland**Katy Perry**
Previous participation: 11th edition for the  United States**La Lana**
Previous participation: 12th edition for  Croatia**Lorde**
Previous participations: 7th, 15th edition and Special edition 1 for  New Zealand**Mariette**
Previous participation: 9th edition for  Åland Islands**Morat**
Previous participation: 16th edition for  Colombia**MØ**
Previous participation: 10th edition for  Denmark**Paulina Rubio**
Previous participation: 7th edition for  Mexico**Poli Genova**
Previous participation: 14th edition for  Bulgaria**Rayhon**
Previous participation: 18th edition for  Uzbekistan**Sean Paul**
Previous participations: 15th and 21st edition representing  Jamaica**Senta**
Previous participation: 21st edition for  Germany

## Second Chance

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