The Miss Universe competition is one of the world's most recognised international beauty pageants. It brings together contestants from different countries and territories to celebrate beauty, confidence, culture, talent and individual achievements.Miss Universe 2026 is attracting attention from pageant fans worldwide, with audiences looking forward to meeting the contestants, learning about their backgrounds and seeing how they represent their countries on the international stage.
In this guide, we explore the Miss Universe 2026 competition, participating countries, contestant profiles, national representation and important details about the upcoming event.
What Is Miss Universe 2026?

Miss Universe 2026 is the 75th edition of the Miss Universe competition. The event brings together women representing different countries and territories to compete for the international title.
Beyond appearance and fashion, the competition provides contestants with opportunities to present their personalities, communication skills, cultural backgrounds and social interests.
The competition also gives international audiences an opportunity to discover different traditions, national identities and perspectives through the contestants.
Miss Universe 2026 Event Details
Here are some important details about the 2026 edition:
Event detail | Information |
|---|---|
Competition | Miss Universe 2026 |
Edition | 75th Anniversary |
Host country | Puerto Rico |
Host city | San Juan |
Contestant gathering | November 8, 2026 |
National Costume Competition | November 21, 2026 |
Preliminary Competition | November 22, 2026 |
Grand Finale | November 24, 2026 |
Main venue | José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum |
The Miss Universe Organization announced that up to 120 delegates were expected to compete. Its November 7 update subsequently reported the arrival of 121 delegates in Puerto Rico.
Miss Universe 2026 Full Contestant List
The following is a reported list of 120 contestants published on November 6, 2026. It includes their names and the countries or territories they represent. Because contestant participation and official recognition can change, readers should check the official Miss Universe roster for the latest updates.
1. Europe
Country / Territory | Contestant |
|---|---|
Albania | Jogersa Beqiri |
Austria | Victoria Amerson |
Belarus | Aliya Karotkaya |
Belgium | Olga Lombardo |
Bulgaria | Anna Babau |
Croatia | Antea Mršić |
Czech Republic | Dominika Kotoučková |
Denmark | Fie Rose Lindegaard |
Estonia | Emili Denneng |
Finland | Veera Grönlund |
France | Garance Authié |
Germany | Celina Weil |
Great Britain | Angela Pitao Aumonier |
Greece | Olivia Vasilopoulos |
Hungary | Kiss Kamila |
Iceland | Sigríður Hrafnkelsdóttir |
Ireland | Aideen Howard |
Italy | Giada Folcia |
Kosovo | Evisa Pacolli |
Latvia | Lāsma Kuhtarska |
Lithuania | Olga Bykadorova |
Malta | Francesca Mercieca |
Montenegro | Aleksandra Ivezaj |
Netherlands | Melissa Bottema |
North Macedonia | Katia Doneva |
Norway | Abelone Smedsrud |
Poland | Vivica Lewandowski |
Portugal | Isabela Santos |
Romania | Sabina Parmac |
Russia | Alexandra Stashkevich |
Serbia | Nikolina Vujičić |
Slovakia | Anna Ličková |
Spain | Susana Medina |
Sweden | Josefin Strand |
Switzerland | Itiya Dube |
Türkiye | Alara Erıç |
Ukraine | Anna Nikonova |
2. Asia
Country / Territory | Contestant |
|---|---|
Cambodia | Rthna Than |
China | Shiqi Wang |
Hong Kong | Jennifer Zhou |
India | Kaziah Liz Mejo |
Israel | Danielle Sophie Yablonka |
Japan | Sayuki Ito |
Jordan | Destiny Anbar |
Kazakhstan | Alina Ekaterinecheva |
Kyrgyzstan | Medina Ermekova |
Lebanon | Perla Harb |
Myanmar | May Grace Parry |
Nepal | Prayashna Gurung |
Pakistan | Misbah Arshad |
Philippines | Bea Millan-Windorski |
South Korea | Kim Yurim |
Sri Lanka | Nimhara Sasindi |
3. Africa
Country / Territory | Contestant |
|---|---|
Angola | Wanderléia Rodrigues |
Botswana | Dabilo Moses |
Cameroon | Audrey Black |
Cape Verde | Armandina Cunha |
DR Congo | Jessi Kalambayi |
Egypt | Sonia Gergis |
Equatorial Guinea | Isabel Mbomio |
Ethiopia | Bruk Belete |
Ghana | Belvy Ofori |
Guinea | Justine Kamara |
Kenya | Jean Ojiro |
Namibia | Charene Labuschagne |
Nigeria | Danielle Fadeke Adewusi |
Republic of the Congo | Georgina Kambongo |
Sierra Leone | Katti Fofanah |
South Africa | Bajabulise Thela |
South Sudan | Amylia Deng |
Tanzania | Elizabeth Makune |
Tunisia | Sarrah Brahmi |
Uganda | Mitchelle Daka |
Zambia | Mubanga Hatyoka |
Zimbabwe | Roseanna Hall |
4. North America, Central America & Caribbean
Country / Territory | Contestant |
|---|---|
Bahamas | Shawndra Henfield |
Belize | Caleigh-Rose West |
British Virgin Islands | Orealia Eugenie Thomas |
Canada | Aslihan Morali |
Cayman Islands | Juliana May Myers |
Costa Rica | María Alejandra Acosta García |
Cuba | Mia Dio |
Dominican Republic | Melissa Núñez |
El Salvador | Sofia Cordova |
Guadeloupe | Chloé Deher |
Guatemala | María Adelina Castillo Birba |
Haiti | Tatenda Rameau |
Honduras | Luisa Pineda |
Jamaica | Celene Hall |
Mexico | María Vargas |
Nicaragua | Jasmine Blandford |
Panama | Gabriela González |
Puerto Rico | Jennifer Barretto |
Saint Lucia | Bernella Velinor |
Turks and Caicos Islands | Selena Grant |
United States | Justus Anye Coleman Kelley |
U.S. Virgin Islands | Jenna-Monét Queeley |
5. South America
Country / Territory | Contestant |
|---|---|
Argentina | Daiana Pereyra |
Bolivia | Valeria Mena |
Brazil | Marcella Kozinski de Barros |
Chile | Dominga López |
Colombia | María Alejandra López |
Ecuador | Dalia Bucaram |
Guyana | Angel Bhathal |
Paraguay | Gretha Matiauda |
Peru | Luren Leticia Márquez Canales |
Suriname | Maruschka Sahiboe |
Uruguay | Lucía Piñeyro |
Venezuela | Clara Federica Vegas Goetz |
6. Oceania and Other Island Territories
Country / Territory | Contestant |
|---|---|
Australia | Caitlin Worthington |
Aruba | Elizabeth Johnson |
Bonaire | Caroline Porras |
Curaçao | Bianty Gomperts |
Martinique | Larissa Ségarel |
Mayotte | Maëva Toumbou Dani |
New Zealand | Georgia Waddington |
Réunion | Abigaëlle Tailamée |
Trinidad and Tobago | Vinita Manoo |
Editorial note: The regional grouping above is for readability. Some island territories have distinct political and geographical classifications. The published roster includes some entries whose participation status has been disputed or unclear.
Featured Miss Universe 2026 Contestant Profiles
Here are some contestants receiving attention from international pageant audiences. These short profiles identify their national representation and place in the competition; they should not be treated as complete personal biographies.
1. Kaziah Liz Mejo – India
Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala represents India at Miss Universe 2026. Her participation brings India's pageant journey into the spotlight, with fans interested in her preparation, stage presentation and national representation.
2. Jennifer Barretto – Puerto Rico
Jennifer Barretto represents the host territory, bringing an opportunity to showcase Puerto Rican culture and connect with international audiences during the 75th-anniversary celebration.
3. Bea Millan-Windorski – Philippines
Bea Millan-Windorski represents the Philippines, a country with a well-established pageant following. Her participation is attracting interest from Filipino pageant supporters.
4. María Alejandra López – Colombia
Colombia's representative is part of the Latin American delegation. Her competition journey offers an opportunity to present Colombian culture and national identity on an international platform.
5. María Vargas – Mexico
María Vargas represents Mexico, a country with a notable history in international beauty pageants. Pageant followers will be watching her performances throughout the competition.
6. Caitlin Worthington – Australia
Caitlin Worthington represents Australia in the 2026 competition. Her participation adds to the international representation of the Oceania region.
Countries and Regions to Watch in Miss Universe 2026
The competition brings together contestants from different cultural and geographical backgrounds. Several regions are particularly interesting for audiences following the event.
1. Latin America
Countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Puerto Rico have strong pageant traditions. Their representatives are expected to attract considerable attention from regional and international fans.
2. Asia
India, the Philippines, Japan, Nepal and other Asian representatives bring different cultural perspectives to the competition. Their national costumes, interviews and stage presentations are among the areas audiences can follow.
3. Europe
European contestants represent a wide variety of languages, fashion influences and cultural traditions. Their participation adds diversity to the international competition.
4. Africa
African representatives bring different national identities, cultural traditions and personal perspectives to the global stage. Their participation helps highlight the continent's diversity.
5. North America and Oceania
Contestants from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Caribbean territories contribute to the competition's international representation.
What Makes Miss Universe 2026 Special?
The 2026 edition marks the 75th anniversary of Miss Universe, making it a significant milestone in the pageant's history.
Some important highlights include:
Diamond Jubilee celebration: The competition marks 75 years of the Miss Universe pageant.
International participation: Contestants represent countries and territories from around the world.
Cultural representation: National costumes and cultural activities highlight different traditions.
Public voting: Fans can support their favourite contestants through the official voting platform.
International platform: Contestants have opportunities to communicate their interests, experiences and social initiatives.
The official organization has also announced that the highest public-vote recipient will secure a place in the Top 30 semifinalists.
How Are Miss Universe 2026 Contestants Selected?

Contestants generally earn their place in the international competition through national pageants or selection processes managed by their respective national organizations.
The selection process may include several stages:
National competition: Candidates participate in their country's official selection event.
Interview round: Contestants communicate their views, personalities and experiences.
Stage presentation: Participants demonstrate confidence, presentation skills and stage presence.
Final selection: A national winner or appointed representative receives the opportunity to compete internationally.
International preparation: Selected contestants prepare for interviews, rehearsals, cultural activities and competition events.
The exact process can vary between national organizations.
How to Follow Miss Universe 2026
Pageant fans can follow the competition through official announcements, contestant updates, social media coverage and event broadcasts.
Here are some ways to stay informed:
Important Contestant Participation Updates
Some countries have faced uncertainty regarding their participation because of franchise-related disagreements. Reports have highlighted issues involving Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos. Their representatives' participation should not be assumed without confirmation from the Miss Universe Organization.
Also, two entries to include in the regional tables above are:
Country | Contestant |
|---|---|
Armenia | Arena Zeynalian |
Mongolia | Enkhdelgerekh Enkhbold |
Conclusion
Miss Universe 2026 is an important milestone for the international beauty pageant, bringing together contestants from different countries and territories for its 75th-anniversary celebration. From national representation and cultural costumes to interviews and stage performances, the competition offers audiences plenty to follow.
The contestant list gives fans an opportunity to discover the women representing different parts of the world. As the event progresses, official announcements and competition updates will provide more information about the participants and their performances.
Whether you are supporting India, following Latin American representatives or discovering contestants from other regions, Miss Universe 2026 offers an opportunity to celebrate international culture, confidence and diversity.
FAQ'S
The organization initially announced that up to 120 delegates were expected. Its November 7 announcement reported that 121 delegates had arrived in Puerto Rico.
The 75th-anniversary competition will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.
The grand finale is scheduled for November 24, 2026.
The reported contestant list names Kaziah Liz Mejo as India's representative.
Jennifer Barretto is listed as the representative of Puerto Rico.
Sources and review notes
References used to check facts, freshness, and reader-safe recommendations in this guide.
Information is based on Miss Universe Organization announcements and published contestant coverage. The roster may change as official participation details are updated.
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