The road to the Miss Universe 2026 crown has begun. As Puerto Rico prepares to welcome representatives from around the world in November for the pageant's 75th edition, nations across the globe are starting to choose their queens in search of Fátima Bosch's successor.
As every year, Latina power is on full display, and the list of contestants hoping to keep the crown in a Spanish-speaking territory for the Diamond edition is slowly coming together.
© Getty ImagesAs dreams take shape ahead of Nov. 24, the day of the grand finale at the Coliseo de San Juan, the excitement can be felt in every corner of Latin America. Countries like Argentina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela already have their representatives ready to shine.
The Latinas competing for the Miss Universe 2026 crown
Tamara Rogouski, Miss Universe Argentina
At 28, this Misiones native from Puerto Iguazú dazzles with a story that blends glamour and perseverance. She has a degree in Marketing, is an ontological coach, and has been modeling since her teens. She made history as the first mother to win the national title, breaking the mold and proving that motherhood and dreams can go hand in hand. She was crowned at the Teatro Metropolitan in Buenos Aires, where she also took home the awards for Best Face and Best Evening Gown. Her daughter, Sophi, is her greatest inspiration.
Valeria Mena - Miss Universe Bolivia
Her coronation is considered a modern-day fairy tale, which took place at the Salón Sirionó at Fexpocruz in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. At just 23, this young woman from Oruro wowed the judges and audience with her elegant poise and natural charisma, becoming the first representative from Oruro to win the title in almost six decades. Valeria also earned the titles of 'Most Beautiful Face' and 'Miss Tourism.' On social media, Valeria shares moments from her preparation for Puerto Rico, including training, photo shoots, and nods to the rich folklore of her homeland.
Marcella Kozinski - Miss Universe Brazil
She won the national crown representing the idyllic Ilha do Mel with elegant poise and a story of resilience that captivated everyone. At 26, this model, entrepreneur, and influencer became the absolute star of the gala in São Paulo, where she dazzled with her modern, sophisticated style. Her message after winning, “Dreams never grow old, and I am living proof of that,” sums up the strength of a journey marked by discipline and perseverance.
Dominga López - Miss Universe Chile
The 24-year-old journalist, born in Viña del Mar, won the national crown on Aug. 2 in Santiago with a mix of elegance, intelligence, and charisma. Her answer on the right to choose motherhood and the “Listen to Her Heart” bill was considered one of the strongest of the night, propelling her to victory over more than 20 contestants. Dominga studied social communication, theater, and acting, and has also had a notable presence in fashion campaigns and artistic collaborations with urban singer Kidd Voodoo.
María Alejandra Acosta - Miss Universe Costa Rica
The 27-year-old is from Alajuela and has made a name for herself as a model and communicator, as well as a passionate lover of Costa Rican art and culture. Her win was celebrated as a historic moment, as she became the first representative from her province to take the title, doing so with elegant poise, firm public speaking, and a charisma that captivated the judges and audience.
Mia Dio - Miss Universe Cuba
At 25, Mia Angelina Donadio Cancio, known in the digital world as Mia Dio, has become a firm and passionate voice looking to make her own way while honoring the roots of her family, marked by the fight for a free Cuba. With a vibrant personality and a clear vision of her goals, she has built a space of her own that combines authenticity and determination to inspire those who follow her. Her community of admirers, which grows by the day, is a testament to the impact she makes and the support that drives her to keep sharing her ideals with strength and conviction.
Dalia Bucaram - Miss Universe Ecuador
At 21, Ecuador's representative is a Psychology student at Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, and she won the title in her first beauty pageant. Dalia is the daughter of TV host Gabriela Pazmiño and politician Dalo Bucaram, and the granddaughter of former president Abdalá Bucaram Ortiz. Dalia balances her modeling career with social projects like Vita Nova, which focuses on the mental health of children and young people.
Sofía Córdova - Miss Universe El Salvador
At 25, the young woman, who studied communications and is a model, has stood out for her runway charisma and her message of female empowerment. Sofía represents a generation that wants to show the world the strength and authenticity of Salvadoran women.
María Adelina Castillo - Miss Universe Guatemala
At 30 years old and standing 5'11", she represented the department of Sacatepéquez and stood out for her elegance, confidence, and academic background, and she is now set to compete for the Miss Universe 2026 crown. Adelina is a general practitioner who graduated cum laude, a pediatrics specialist also with honors, and is currently pursuing a subspecialty in pediatric intensive care. She speaks three languages — Spanish, English, and Greek — and loves reading and painting.
María Vargas - Miss Universe Mexico
With an elegant presence and a speech focused on resilience and female empowerment, the young woman from Zapopan, Jalisco, won over the judges and audience on a night that marked a new chapter for Mexican representation on the international stage. María was crowned by her fellow countrywoman, Fátima Bosch, who encouraged the other contestants to congratulate her after the crowning.
Jazmine Chola - Miss Universe Nicaragua
Jazmine Chola is a young woman from the South Caribbean who has made her mark in international modeling and is now beginning her preparation to represent her country at Miss Universe in Puerto Rico. Her win marks a new era for the national pageant, with the goal of showcasing the cultural diversity and strength of Nicaraguan women on one of the world's biggest stages.
Gabriela González - Miss Universe Panama
Gabriela, just 20 years old and an imposing 6'0" tall, is a Medicine student at the University of Panama. Her charisma, confidence, and eloquence were decisive in winning over the judges and audience. Beyond her physical beauty, her strength lay in the clarity of her message about female empowerment and sustainability, values that set her apart and gave her the edge over the other contestants.
Gretha Matiauda - Miss Universe Paraguay
Gretha dazzled with her elegant poise and a powerful speech that celebrated the historic role of Paraguayan women: “We are the daughters of the residentas who lifted up an entire nation.” At just 24, this model and singer from Asunción, an Economics student and polyglot, became the absolute star of the night, standing out among the contestants with looks that blended sophistication and cultural roots.
Luren Márquez - Miss Universe Peru
The 27-year-old from Ica won the national crown in April at the Teatro Municipal del Callao with a mix of elegance, academic preparation, and charisma. A business administrator and communicator specializing in digital marketing, she has worked as a model and host on Univision and Telemundo, and has also walked international runways for designers such as Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada and Giannina Azar.
Jennifer Barreto - Miss Universe Puerto Rico
At 27, the San Sebastián native is headed to the finale on home soil. A prevention specialist for the U.S. Department of Defense with two master's degrees in Psychology and Clinical Social Work, she has become a queen who breaks the mold as the mother of 7-year-old Penélope, balancing motherhood with her reign.
Melissa Núñez - Miss Dominican Republic
At 25, with a background as a model and communicator, Melissa stood out for her elegant poise, firm public speaking, and charisma that captivated both the judges and the audience.
Lucía Piñeyro - Miss Universe Uruguay
A model and Law student, the Montevideo native has stood out for her elegant poise, firm public speaking, and charisma that captivated both the judges and the audience. At 33, she dazzled at her coronation in gowns that blended modernity and Uruguayan tradition.
Clara Vegas - Miss Universe Venezuela
Clara Vegas has already made history by being crowned national representative: she became the first national queen whose mother was also a former Miss Venezuela, as her mom, Andreína Goetz, won the crown in 1990. At just 24 and 6'1" tall, Clara dazzled at the gala with an elegant bearing that promises to be among the most distinguished at the finale in Puerto Rico, along with a stage presence shaped by her training in dramatic arts in Los Angeles and Cardiff.
