Azerbaijan is setting its sights on the Eurovision Song Contest final this year with the singer JIVA after failing to qualify in 2025.
The country also failed to qualify the two years prior to that as well, meaning that JIVA has surely got to be feeling the pressure to relive the country’s glory days when it won in 2011.
Her song is a power ballad which blends both English and Azerbaijani lyrics, and ballads tend to do well at the international song contest so let’s hope she’s done enough to make it all the way.
Whilst we await the verdict, here’s everything you need to know about JIVA.
Who is Azerbaijan Eurovision 2026 entry JIVA?
Instagram: @jiva_jh
TikTok: @jamila_hashimova
JIVA, whose real name is Jamila Hashimova, began her music career in 2003 when she was 21. Last year, she auditioned for the third season of The Voice Azerbaijan. In the blind auditions all four coaches turned their chairs for her but she chose to be on Team Röya. She then went on to win the show with a televote percentage of 42.6 per cent.
It was announced in March this year that she had been internally selected to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision but this was not the first time she had tried to enter the song contest. In 2011, she participated in the national selection rounds for Eurovision but was not selected.
She sings in English, Russian and Azerbaijani, mainly pop, dance, and R&B and cites Michael Jackson as a huge inspiration.
How old is JIVA?
JIVA is 43 years old.
What nationality is JIVA?
JIVA is Azerbaijani and was born in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
What has JIVA said about representing Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2026?
On her selection to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2026, JIVA said: “I’m honoured to represent Azerbaijan. This song is very personal to me, and I can’t wait to share it on the Eurovision stage.”
She also revealed in an Instagram reel that she had manifested her Eurovision selection by writing about in her “manifestation notebook”, candidly admitting: “It’s my dream and dreams do come true.”
What is Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2026 song called?
JIVA will represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the ballad Just Go which features both English and Azerbaijani lyrics.
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Where did Azerbaijan come in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?
In 2025 Azerbaijan was represented by the band Mamagama and their song Run With U, but they failed to qualify for the Grand Final after finishing in last place in the first semi-final – marking Azerbaijan’s worst result in the contest’s history.
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The Eurovision Song Contest has faced significant criticism over its decision to allow Israel to take part in the event due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
This year, a number of countries will boycott the contest following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision not to expel Israel from the competition.
At the EBU general assembly in December 2025, a vote was held to introduce new rules that would stop governments and third parties from disproportionately promoting songs to influence voters. No vote was held on Israel’s participation.
The EBU said in a statement: “A large majority of members agreed that there was no need for a further vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in place.”
Following this, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland confirmed they would not participate in this year’s Eurovision.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ said: “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.”
The BBC, which broadcasts the competition in the UK, has said it supports the decision made by the EBU. “This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive,” it said in a statement.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final will take place on Saturday 16 May 2026.
You can also check out the full list of Eurovision winners and how many times the UK has won Eurovision.
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