After three weeks of activities and challenges, marred by a Miss England switcheroo but, thankfully, spared by the conflict up north, the festival has reached its finale. In less than 12 hours, a new Miss World will be crowned. And, as per usual, here’s how I’ve tier-ed my final picks.

RESERVE 8: Bolivia, Chile, Croatia, Netherlands, Botswana, Kenya, Cambodia, Lebanon

First, here are eight alternates (two per continent) who still have a fair shot at making it through. Bolivia’s an engaging storyteller but was ignored in the Challenges. On the same boat are Chile, the stunning MGI alumna hoping for another shot, and Croatia, arguably stronger than last year’s Sports winner. Netherlands could easily end that decade-long drought. And there’s Kenya, beaten in BWAP for now, but still a force to be reckoned with. Botswana can easily sustain last year’s momentum, as well as Lebanon, who aims to mirror her predecessor’s trajectory. Taking major strides this year is Cambodia, represented by a half-Brit with a clearly non-Cambodian name. She’s a revelation, but the ASEAN showdown is intense as always. Now, on to my official Top 40.

TOP 40 PICKS. Canada, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Northern Ireland, Poland, Australia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, Vietnam 

With Beauty with a Purpose placers typically given precedence, non-favorites Paraguay and Sierra Leone might have gained extra edge. Milestones abound in this tier. There’s Canada, the first representative of indigenous descent, as well as Martinique, the island’s first consecutive Top Model winner. Also making history are Sports winner Estonia, her country’s first placer since 1999, and Head to Head winner Zambia, her country’s first ever. 

Securing their streaks through Challenge wins are Dominican Republic, who won Multimedia, Trinidad and Tobago, her region’s Head to Head winner, andUganda, who won BWAP. Also likely to pull the same are Nigeria and Zimbabwe from Africa; Malaysia and Vietnam from Southeast Asia, and Australia from Oceania. 

Recent champs Czech Republic and Poland could also easily join the fray. And so could Belgium, who’s also slated for Miss Universe. Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland might easily place their countries again after a year out. And, finally, there’s Head-to-Head winner Türkiye, following through last year’s drought-ender and, now, scoring the country’s first back-to-back placement since the early 90s. With these quarter-final picks accounted for, we now move on to the upper half.

TOP 20 PICKS. Mexico, United States, Venezuela, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Namibia, Montenegro, Spain, Wales, India, Indonesia, New Zealand

Recent American champs certainly bought their A-game this year, with double Challenge placer Mexico serving glam and Venezuela channeling Grace Kelly. The teen pageant alumna from United States can still justify the hype. And so can Cote d’Ivoire, the early favorite who stalled in Top Model. Two African Miss Universe alumnae have also secured their slots, with Multimedia winner Cameroon, who sustained her previous finish, and Top Model winner Namibia, improving hers. 

Montenegro makes history as her country’s first placer. She is joined by double Challenge winner Wales, placing for Team UK, and, in all likelihood, half-Czech Spain. Hometown girl India’s already in and so is Indonesia, increasing its placement streak to 12 years. Both can easily pull upsets for Asia’s continental title, and to an extent, so can New Zealand, who’s now virtually a lock for Miss World Oceania. 

CONTINENTAL RUNNERS-UP. Ireland, Puerto Rico, Somalia 

The next tier could easily make Final Eight, or with luck, even seize a Continental title. It’s impossible to count Somalia out now, after baring it all with her harrowing story which left the Head to Head audience speechless. Next is Ireland, Europe’s Top Model winner and a passionate speaker, and BWAP winner Puerto Rico, the likely Caribbean champ and easily her island’s strongest since Stephanie del Valle’s win. And since my overall #1 choice hails from Asia, my choice for the region’s runner-up stands to get promoted. Now, here are my picks for the Winners’ Circle.

MISS WORLD-EUROPE:  FRANCE – Agatha Cauet. It’s been said that Miss World 1953, Denise Perrier, wishes to see another French woman crowned within her lifetime. While this may not yet be that year, this cancer warrior definitely captured hearts with her survival story. And just like Somalia, her Head to Head speech stunned the entire audience and had Julia defying the program flow for a quick onstage hug. She could easily be Europe’s highest placer. 

MISS WORLD-AMERICAS AND CARIBBEAN: BRAZIL – Jessica Pedroso. Of the Top Three finishers of the original Indian staging, it’s Brazil that managed to maintain its consistency. This English teacher is now poised to continue that pattern and, possibly, top Continental America for a second straight year.

MISS WORLD-AFRICA: SOUTH AFRICA – Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg. And in the end, it’s simply hard to ignore an early favorite. She exudes sophistication and poise at 19 and evokes flashbacks of the Rainbow Nation’s last winner, Rolene Strauss. Her unassuming regality fits the brand, and while she’s not on top of everyone’s overall lists right now, the Blue Crown might still be within reach.

MISS WORLD-ASIA: PHILIPPINES – Krishnah Marie Gravidez. Now before you reach for those pitchforks, dear countrymen, hear me out. As mentioned, let’s not disregard our complex relationship with this contest, despite the welcome anomaly that was Megan Young and the respectable streak we enjoyed last decade. It’s still a rough road, it appears, as this stunner still awaits her fate with bated breath, while two ASEAN favorites have already made their way in. But then, one can’t deny that she looks crown-able and has been topping several lists, including those of Latin pages. And bear in mind: the last two winners weren’t Challenge Event favorites either, and look how high they soared. But, for now, I’ll play it safe. If ever she defies the odds, I’ll celebrate being proven wrong. 

MISS WORLD 2025 PICK – THAILAND – Opal Suchata Chuangsri. There are many ways it could go, to be honest. We’ve known that, the moment this erstwhile Miss Universe favorite announced her bid here in a jaw-dropping, game-changing move. But whichever way you look at it, she really was short-changed. It’s one thing to not capture a global title; that happens. But it’s another to be shoved into the background and deprived of a final walk as national titleholder. And because of what? A shift in franchise? If one can recall, even the last Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Gazini Ganados, was afforded a cameo in the inaugural edition of Miss Universe Philippines last 2020. No matter the capacity, it was proof that transitions can be handled with diplomacy and class. And it’s definitely not by denying the former’s contributions. 

But even without that convoluted backstory, Opal undoubtedly shines. She entered the race on a clean slate and participated just like the other 107. And, looking at this contest’s recent pattern, no country has won twice since 2008. If we backtrack even further, only India (2000, 2017), China (2007, 2012), and the reigning country, Czech Republic (2006, 2023/4) have managed to win more than once since the turn of the century. That’s 19 countries in 22 editions. It’s a healthy balance and it wouldn’t surprise if they continue that route.

Given how Thailand placed only four times before the 2000s and had to wait until 2018 to even come close to winning, maybe it’s high time they earned this big break. If that happens, there wouldn’t be a worthier harbinger.