The 75th edition of the Miss Universe competition is facing an unusual challenge even before its grand finale in Puerto Rico. According to reports, representatives from around 15 countries will not participate in this year’s event because of visa difficulties, franchise disputes, health concerns and personal decisions.
The developments have drawn attention to the organisational challenges surrounding one of the world’s most recognised international beauty pageants. While contestants from several countries have withdrawn individually, six Asian nations have been declared ineligible following a dispute over national franchise rights.
Austria, Bulgaria and Saint Martin Announce Withdrawals
Among the contestants who have stepped away is Miss Universe Austria Victoria Amerson. She announced her withdrawal through social media, explaining that she wanted to prioritise her personal values as well as her mental and physical well-being.
Miss Universe Bulgaria Ana-Maria Babau has also withdrawn after being involved in a car accident. The Bulgarian organisation confirmed that her injuries would prevent her from participating in the upcoming competition.
Saint Martin’s representative, Madly Marian, has cited personal reasons for her decision. She described the withdrawal as difficult but expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have been part of the international pageant journey.
Six Asian Countries Excluded Over Franchise Dispute
A major source of controversy involves Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore and Malaysia. Representatives from these six countries have been declared ineligible for the 2026 competition following a disagreement over the ownership and licensing of national Miss Universe franchises.
The dispute involves the Miss Universe Organization and Miss Universe Eastern, with disagreements over the authority to issue or transfer franchise rights.
The exclusion has created uncertainty for contestants who had expected to represent their countries at the global event. Reports indicate that their national titles will remain unaffected despite their absence from this year’s international competition.
Vietnam’s situation has attracted particular attention because the country is scheduled to host the 76th Miss Universe competition in 2027.
Visa Difficulties Affect Other National Representatives
Travel and visa-related problems have created further obstacles for contestants. Nepal, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Republic of the Congo are among the countries whose representatives have reportedly been unable to participate because of visa difficulties or restrictions affecting travel to the United States.
These challenges have added to the disruption surrounding the pageant, particularly for contestants who must travel internationally to take part in scheduled events.
Maldives and Morocco Representatives Also Withdraw
The list of departures also includes Miss Universe Maldives Aminath Yuin Mohamed and Miss Universe Morocco Sara Allali.
Neither contestant has publicly provided a detailed explanation for her withdrawal, according to the reports. Their absence adds to the number of national representatives missing from this year’s competition.
The different circumstances behind the exits show that the disruption is not the result of one single issue. Individual decisions, health concerns, travel restrictions and organisational disagreements have all affected participation.
Miss Universe 2026 Finale Scheduled for November 24
Despite the withdrawals, the 75th Miss Universe competition is continuing in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The grand finale is scheduled for November 24, 2026, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot.
The national costume presentation is planned for November 21, followed by the preliminary competition on November 22. Contestants will compete before the final selection of candidates for the crown.
The reigning Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch of Mexico, is expected to crown her successor at the anniversary edition.
Withdrawals Raise Questions About the Pageant’s Organisation
The unusually high number of countries missing from the competition has brought the pageant’s administrative and logistical challenges into focus. The franchise dispute has raised questions about licensing arrangements, while visa problems have highlighted the difficulties international contestants can face when travelling for major events.
For the contestants who have withdrawn or been declared ineligible, the absence means losing the opportunity to compete on the global stage this year. As the finale approaches, attention will remain on how the organisers manage the remaining competition and address the concerns surrounding participation.