The Preliminary Competition took place last October 7, once again shaking up fans’ lists. The event hosted by the last four Miss Grand International titleholders, Emma Tiglao (2025), CJ Opiaza (2024), Luciana Fuster (2023), and Isabella Menin (2022) and joined by the first ever MGI All Stars champ, Colombia’s Vanessa Pulgarin.
It began with the Swimsuit round led by the reigning queen, followed by the Evening Gown round, where feathers and tassels were the apparent motif. Some ladies took the traditional route by sporting feather boas. Others took the challenge quite literally by practically dressing as angels. But, again, subtlety is not a word we associate with this pageant. So, it’s really a matter of who steals the show.
With that, here are my choices, along with the final tally:
LONG SHOTS. Egypt, Italy, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Taiwan, Türkiye, Zimbabwe. Mongolia’s a worthy performer, but the uproar over her citizenship’s beyond control. Kosovo, Türkiye, and Slovak Republic bring face card but are largely ignored. Same goes for striking Italy and energetic Zimbabwe. Norway’s Indonesian heritage might earn her attention, while Lebanon’s gown was an interesting misfire. Sadly, for lovely-faced Egypt, her listless performance likely cost her points.
DARK HORSES. Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, China, El Salvador, France, Georgia, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malta, Nepal, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, US Virgin Islands, United Kingdom. Among this tier are weak sashes that impressed, like Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Guyana, Malta, and New Zealand. Bangladesh and UK might have had better chances in India, ditto for US Virgin Islands, had she worn the US sash. Gorgeous teen South Africa could benefit from more experience, while Singapore sent its strongest in years. And then, we have Belgium, who could still easily follow her younger’s sister’s footsteps.
ALTERNATES. Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Laos, Moldova, Montenegro, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nigeria, Paraguay, South Sudan. Hong Kong slayed, whether you buy her antics or not. Costa Rica and Iran were Grand Day Experience picks, while Dominican Republic, Japan, Moldova and Montenegro might make it via Grand Talent. Laos and Myanmar also figured strong and, suddenly, there’s Colombia, who stunned in her Zuleyka Rivera homage of a gown. Lastly, it pains to relegate the likes of Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Netherlands, Nigeria, and Paraguay in this tier for now. But they could still steal a slot, along with India, who would have been a shoo-in in her home turf.
TOP 20 PICKS. Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uruguay. Home court girl Thailand is bound to stay in contention. And at this point, there’s no use ignoring Malaysia, one of the most applauded in Evening Gown, and from Africa: Ghana and potential first-time placer Cote d’Ivoire. Spain, Mexico and Puerto Rico continue to substantiate their sash weight, and might even sneak into the second cut. Lastly, while they’re not unanimous favorites, the following could be worthwhile gambles. There’s Sri Lanka, who performed amidst minimal buzz, early revelation Pakistan, and Louisiana native Uruguay, who deserves to bring her country back on the radar.
5TH RUNNER-UP (TOP TEN) PICKS. Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, Philippines, Vietnam.
It’s odd not to see Asia at the forefront this year, but leading that pack anyway are defending champ Philippines and catwalk dynamo Vietnam. So far, it’s the latter who’s pegged to go farther. Peru could easily make up for missing the cut last year and so could early favorite Cuba, who’s bound to break the seven-year gap. Finally, there’s the showstopper from Ecuador, whose every appearance is an event. She’s now en route to secure her country’s best finish after five years.
RUNNER-UP PICKS: Venezuela (4th), Guatemala (3rd), USA (2nd), Czech Republic (1st).
First, there’s erstwhile host and champ Venezuela, who wasn’t picked by peers but, remember, it’s ultimately both the judges’ and the voting populace’s call. She performed and is likely to keep her country in this tier – maybe even better. Topping the Latina contingent is Guatemala, which excels here more than anywhere else. If she doesn’t win, she can at least aim to replicate her country’s 2020 placement. And speaking of 2020, that was the year Abena Appiah secured that triple milestone as the first US representative, African native, and woman of color to win the pageant. This year’s Nigerian-born contender is a deja vu waiting to happen. That is, if she outruns other frontrunners, like Czech Republic – the European likeliest to shoot for the title or even make the cut, for that matter. After two 4th Runner-Up finishes, the country might just finally outdo itself.
MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL 2026 PICK: Tanzania.
When this Miss Universe 2016 alumna was confirmed to cross over, there was already a hint that she’d fare better. Lo and behold, she’s more than assured a higher finish. She’s also now well on her way to make history in a Grand way. Many fan pages seem to agree that a milestone’s due for Mount Kilimanjaro’s home base, which only started placing last year thanks to Beatrice Akyoo. Looking at the roster of past winners, whether they finished their reigns or not, it’s always been a trans-Pacific battle. This year, we just might witness that shift. To quote Shakira’s played-to-death World Cup anthem from 2010, it may actually be time for Africa.
