The first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 has concluded, determining the first group of finalists who will compete in the grand final. The evening brought a mix of expected outcomes and several surprises, with ten countries securing their place in the final after audience voting.
Among the qualifiers, Croatia and Serbia successfully advanced, marking a strong regional presence in this year’s competition. Their qualification was highlighted as one of the key outcomes of the semi-final, confirming their status among the more competitive entries of the night. In contrast, not all regional representatives managed to progress, as San Marino failed to qualify despite its participation.
The show featured a diverse range of performances, with entries varying in style, staging and artistic approach. According to the reports, the results largely aligned with pre-event expectations, as several of the most discussed and favored acts secured their spots in the final. However, the semi-final also produced a number of unexpected eliminations, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition. Beside Croatia and Serbia, among the countries that qualified are: Belgium, Finland, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland and Sweden.
The selection of finalists was determined solely by audience votes, which played a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the evening. The ten successful countries now move forward to the final stage, where they will compete alongside qualifiers from the second semi-final and pre-qualified participants.
The first semi-final has set the tone for the remainder of the contest, combining strong performances with competitive tension and leaving open questions about the eventual winner. Attention now shifts to the second semi-final, where the remaining finalists will be selected, completing the lineup for the grand final of Eurovision 2026.
