Vietnamese representative Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc is in stable form. She and her teammates won Head Chef Beauty, entered Top 23 Talent and Top 20 Head to Head Challenge.
Most notably, Bao Ngoc won Top Model Asia - Oceania region, thereby winning a direct spot in the Top 40 Miss World 2026.
In addition to her achievements at the competition, the Vietnamese beauty has the advantage of a height of 1.86 m, English proficiency and international competition experience. She was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2022 and is currently the founder and CEO of Gen Zero - an organization led by young people, focusing on climate policies and social impacts.
However, Bao Ngoc is not the only candidate with a strong profile.
Brazil
Gabriela Botelho - Brazil's representative - is one of the names noticed before the final stage.
The 25-year-old beauty once won the 2nd runner-up of Miss World Brazil 2021 and won Beauty With a Purpose at the national competition that year. After that, she returned and was crowned Miss World Brazil 2026.
Gabriela is a businesswoman, owning a beach fashion brand. Her community project supports Casa de Maria - a place that provides care services for children and families living with rare diseases.
In the first Hot Picks of Missosology announced on August 28, Brazil was predicted to be in 1st place.
Philippines
Asia Rose Simpson of the Philippines is one of Bao Ngoc's most notable opponents in the Asia-Oceania region.
The 18-year-old beauty once won both Talent and Beauty With a Purpose at Miss World Philippines 2026.
Coming to Miss World 2026, Asia Rose continues to make her mark at the Head to Head Challenge. She surpassed the group of contestants from Asia - Oceania to become the regional winner in this challenge, thereby winning a spot in the Top 40.
Missosology currently predicts Asia Rose to be ranked 2nd, after Brazil and above Chile, Nigeria, Vietnam.
Nigeria
Tamunosoye Karibi-George of Nigeria is another notable opponent with Top Model achievements similar to Bao Ngoc.
The 26-year-old beauty works in the field of media and founded Beyond Labels, an initiative aimed at integration, supporting children with disabilities and children with special needs.
At Miss World 2026, Tamunosoye won the Top Model Africa region, thereby winning a spot in the Top 40.
In the first Hot Picks of Missosology, Nigeria ranked 4th, right above Bao Ngoc in 5th place.
France
Indira Ampiot - French representative - was crowned Miss France 2023 when she was only 18 years old.
The Miss France term helped her accumulate experience in appearing in public, in the media and participating in community activities before coming to Miss World.
At Miss World 2026, Indira continued to prove her stage strength when winning Top Model in Europe. This achievement helped her win the right to enter the Top 40 like Bao Ngoc and Nigeria.
Missosology ranked the French representative in 6th place in the first Hot Picks, right after Bao Ngoc.
Dominican Republic
Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic is one of four regional Top Model winners.
She won in the Americas and Caribbean region, thereby being in the Top 40 Miss World 2026.
Joheirry has a remarkable profile when working in many fields. She is a Literature and Sociology teacher, reporter, model, and founder of Voices of Tomorrow - a project aimed at expanding English learning opportunities for children and teenagers in vulnerable communities.
In addition to the five names above, Ignacia Fernández of Chile is also a candidate to note. She is currently ranked 3rd in the first Hot Picks by Missosology, after Brazil and the Philippines.
