Cyprus has officially qualified for the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 after singer Antigoni Buxton secured a place among the finalists with her performance of “Jalla” during the competition’s second semifinal.
The Cypriot entry impressed audiences with an energetic stage presentation that blended contemporary pop sounds with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean musical influences. The qualification sparked celebrations among Eurovision fans in Cyprus and Greece, with many praising the song’s rhythm, choreography, and strong visual identity.
Dynamic Eurovision performance by Antigoni Buxton with “Jalla”
Cyprus’ staging featured vibrant lighting, fast-paced choreography, and dramatic visual effects designed to match the song’s upbeat energy. Eurovision commentators noted that the performance successfully balanced commercial pop appeal with regional musical influences, helping it stand out in a competitive semifinal.
“Jalla,” whose title draws from a widely used Greek expression in Cyprus “tzi alla,” is often connected with the “Jalla” (Yalah) in Arabic meaning “let’s go” or “come on.” The song has gained momentum among Eurovision followers in recent weeks. Fans have highlighted the song’s catchy hook and dance-oriented production as key strengths ahead of the final.
Antigoni Buxton, already known to audiences in both Cyprus and the United Kingdom, delivered confident vocals throughout the live performance, further strengthening Cyprus’ chances of advancing.
Countries qualifying from second Eurovision semifinal
Cyprus was among ten countries that secured qualification from the second semifinal through public voting.
The countries advancing to the Grand Final from the second semifinal are:
Cyprus
France
Serbia
Finland
Australia
Czech Republic
Poland
Denmark
Portugal
Georgia
The results were determined entirely by televoting under Eurovision’s current semifinal system. This year’s Eurovision features a wide variety of musical styles, from emotional ballads to electronic dance tracks and culturally inspired performances. Both Greece and Cyprus will now compete in the Grand Final, raising hopes among Greek-speaking audiences for another strong showing.
