Just when we thought the roster would finally surpass 70-mark again, the high attrition rate once again took its toll, reducing the number to 66. Ironically, some of those no-shows even took part in the Supra Chat Challenge, which for the sixtth straight year, gave fans a chance to preview the candidates before pageant kick-off. One of those notable withdrawals was Pakistan’s Aina Qureishi, who was subsequently announced as a Miss Universe Pakistan candidate. Despite an attempt to replace her, Anniqa Iqbal, sadly, never really confirmed. 

Here are the candidates from SupraChat groups 1 to 3: 

GROUP 1 . Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, Romania

AUSTRALIA – Krysta Heath. This child protection caseworker from Hunter Valley topped her SupraChat group and has been serving looks since. It seems her continent’s now due its first placement this decade and, with luck, probably even its best.

BELGIUM – Sofia Sanfilippo. Having an Italian father and a Moroccan-American mother makes multiculturalism this future nurse’s ace. Though overshadowed, she at least earned the spotlight as a Talent finalist. 

CZECH REPUBLIC – Michaela Macháčkova. Many pundits claim Justyna Zednikova should have won last year. Though, in hindsight, they really seemed dead set on an Indonesian milestone. It’s unclear if this artist can avenge her gorgeous predecessor, though it’s safe to assume she can the streak.  

ICELAND – Lilja Sif Pétursdóttir. In Miss Universe, she was the second teen in a row to pass unnoticed, with the first one soaring to new heights in Miss Earth since. She’s not foreseen to  vindicate herself to the same degree, but at least, she’s now getting more noticed.

NETHERLANDS – Josephine Onderdonck. The Lowlands may have missed the cut last year, but five placements in a decade is hard to ignore. This law student might just add to that tally, granted the competition doesn’t overwhelm. 

POLAND – Kasandra Zawal. It’s not that we expect hometown girls to be infallible, because they’re not. It’s just that nobody expected the gorgeous Angelika Jurkonawiec to be that first sacrificial lamb, especially after that great performance. Well, perhaps we can count on this journalist to put the country back on track, since she is pulling all stops. It’s unlikely that the host country would subject itself to a drought (Then again, Japan once did. But that’s Miss International). 

ROMANIA – Ana Maria Mozǎceanu. For someone from the land that brought us Dracula, her vibe’s sure bright and sunny. Couple that with the country’s respectable Supra-track record, and this medical law student shouldn’t be dismissed.  

GROUP 2 . Bolivia, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico

BOLIVIA – Vanessa Hayes. She’s already celebrated for putting the Heart of South America back on the pageant map, yet she’s here, hoping to still outdo her landmark Miss International 2023 Top Five finish. That doesn’t feel assured, to be honest, but she at least has a fair shot at continuing the streak.   

CANADA – Aslihan Morali. By December, it’ll be a decade since Siera Bearchell scored both the country’s best and last finish. Maybe this Turkish-born entrepreneur can finally end that drought. Apart from projecting strongly, she’s also up for Miss Influencer Opportunity. 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Karibel Pérez. Since the turn of the decade, the country has been experiencing alternate placements. Granted that pattern continues, this Influencer Opportunity qualifier has a strong shot. And why not, as she’s been consistently solid.

GUATEMALA – Tokyo Christina Gonzalo. It’s not often that we meet a Latina nicknamed after a Japanese city and this actress made an indelible turn in Miss Grand International last year. With her Miss Influencer Opportunity placement, she can conceivably sustain that strong momentum, and maybe even more. With luck, she might even secure her country’s best finish. 

MEXICO – Angie Melchum. Consecutive placements are rare for this country nowadays, but they pulled just that with Andrea Saenz, who even won Miss Supranational-Americas. There are no guarantees this architect can continue the streak, but she’s putting up a fight. 

PERU – Mayra Messa. 2025 didn’t start strong for the emerging South American powerhouse as they were ignored in Miss World. Much as this legal assistant isn’t a frontrunner here either, there’s more room for her to pull surprises. 

PUERTO RICO – Valerie Klepadlo. It’s safe to say that the island can still maintain its stronghold. This marketing and fashion student topped her SupraChat group and is currently up for Miss Influencer Opportunity. 

GROUP 3. Cambodia, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Türkiye, Vietnam

CAMBODIA – Chandara Chhum. Visa problems marred this model’s participation last year, despite even qualifying for Influencer Opportunity. And while she didn’t enjoy the same early momentum this time, there’s comfort finally seeing her in action and looking very competitive. Granted she continues holding her own among the usual ASEAN suspects, the prolonged wait might just be worth it. 

INDIA – Ayushree Malik. The fact this Psychology student made the SupraChat finals more than proves that the two-time champ hasn’t lost its mojo. And even if she doesn’t win that fast track, she seems well on her way to keep the streak.

NIGERIA – Paula Ezendu. Much as another Nigerian from a powerhouse appears to have the upper hand, this Texas-based biology major might still fight for a slot. She advanced to the second round of SupraChat as a Wild Card. 

PHILIPPINES – Tarah Valencia. Even during her Miss Universe Philippines stint, she always looked showbiz-worthy, and she can very well follow that route once this is over. But, for the time being, this is her quest, and the year-long prep definitely did her wonders. With her Influencer Opportunity nod, the streak can very well stretch to 13. A Top Five comeback may even be due. 

TÜRKIYE – Candan Şeviktürk. Her compatriot from Canada may be gathering steam, but this law student isn’t too far behind, which is impressive, considering she wasn’t even the original delegate. Much as ending the 12-year drought still isn’t assured, she’s projecting well. 

VIETNAM – Võ Cao Ky Duyên. Suffice to say, the country gained enough reasons to bounce back from last year’s shock ouster, from the staging of the first Miss Cosmo to their first Miss International victory. Here’s hoping this business major can at least restore the Supra-momentum, even if there haven’t been signs of resurgence.