The 75th edition of the Miss Univers beauty pageant, scheduled to take place in Porto Rico, is facing difficulties due to US visa restrictions. Several African candidates, including those from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, and the Republic of Congo, are at risk of missing the competition. According to TV5 Monde, 22 African candidates are participating in the pageant this year, up from 16 last year. However, some may not be able to attend due to travel restrictions imposed by the US.
The US visa restrictions, introduced by the administration of Donald Trump, are affecting candidates from several African countries. The restrictions, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, are part of Presidential Proclamation 10998. Zimbabwe, where candidate Roseanna Hall was unable to obtain a visa despite spending several weeks in South Africa, is one of the 19 countries impacted. Hall took to Instagram to share her struggles, stating that she had made multiple attempts to secure a visa.
In Zambia, candidate Pamela Mubanga has withdrawn from the competition due to visa issues. The Miss Univers Zambia organization confirmed that Mubanga's situation was directly related to the US travel restrictions, which affect Zambia and other African countries. The organization stated that Mubanga's case was different from others, where visa refusals are due to personal circumstances or documentation issues.
The situation is uncertain for the candidate from South Sudan, who expressed her doubts about participating in the pageant. In a video response to Hall's post, she stated that her chances of attending Miss Univers were "50/50". The Republic of Congo and Angola are also affected, with candidates Georgina Kambongo and Miss Angola having their visas rejected.
This situation is not new, as Miss Côte d'Ivoire had to withdraw from the 2025 pageant due to similar visa issues. Olivia Yacé, the candidate, had spoken out against the comments made by Raúl Rocha, the then-organizer of the pageant, who suggested that her Ivorian citizenship could complicate her travel. Côte d'Ivoire is also not participating in this year's pageant.
Beyond the countries directly impacted by US restrictions, other candidates may face difficulties due to "weak passports", which can lead to stricter migration controls. The Miss Univers 2026 pageant aims to bring together 120 candidates from around the world and will take place on November 24. The competition will crown the successor to Mexican Fatima Bosch, who was crowned in Thailand in November 2025.
The US visa restrictions have sparked concerns about the inclusivity of the Miss Univers pageant. The event, which celebrates beauty and diversity, may be deprived of several talented candidates due to circumstances beyond their control. As the pageant approaches, the organizers and participants will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
Key points
- Several African candidates are at risk of missing Miss Univers 2026 due to US visa restrictions.
- The restrictions, introduced by the Trump administration, affect candidates from 19 countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, and the Republic of Congo.
- The situation is uncertain for some candidates, including the representative from South Sudan, who has expressed doubts about her participation.
