The introduction of the new regional selection process was definitely met with mixed reactions. For one, why crowd Asia, Africa, and Oceania in one group?! But choices had to be made and sentimental favorites had to be sacrificed.

So, after much discussion, we’ve decided to root for the following:

AMERICAS – Colombia, Mexico, USA, Venezuela
EUROPE – France, Great Britain, Russia, Spain
ASIA/AFRICA/OCEANIA  – Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand
WILDCARD PICKS – Guyana, Israel, Panama, Puerto Rico

Now, here’s how we ranked them:

PAGEANT GEEKS’ CHOICE FOR MISS UNIVERSE 2017:
Thailand – Maria Lynn Poonlertlarp Ehren

1ST RUNNER-UP:
Philippines – Rachel Louise Peters

2ND RUNNER-UP:
Venezuela – Keysi Sayago

TOP 5 FINALISTS:

USA – Kara McCoullough 

Mexico – Denisse Franco

TOP 10 SEMI-FINALISTS:

Russia – Kseniya Alexandrova
Spain – Sofia del Prado 
South Africa – Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters
Indonesia – Bunga Jelitha
France – Alicia Aylies

TOP 16 QUARTER-FINALISTS:
Colombia – Laura Gonzalez
Great Britain – Anna Maria Burdzy
Israel – Adar Gandelsman
Panama – Laura de Sanctis
Puerto Rico – Danna Hernandez
Guyana – Rafieya Husain
 
ALTERNATES
Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, India, Jamaica, Korea, Peru, Poland
The American contingent clearly suffers the most from the new format, as Canada, Chile, and Jamaica would have been shoo-ins otherwise. Peru‘s a strong performer, but her rumored cattiness may cost her. Brazil‘s performance wasn’t as compelling as her predecessors’ but might make it for streak’s sake. India and Korea might steal a slot from one of the ASEAN stunners. And Germany and Poland deserve to be up there based on looks alone, but the limited slots relegate them to this tier…for now.

STRONG POSSIBILITIES
Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Cayman Islands, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Guam, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Nepal, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Vietnam, Zambia
Malta and Cayman Islands are more competitive than ever. Nepal‘s the strongest debutante this year and shouldn’t be underestimated. Iceland and Sweden lead the Nordic pack. Argentina, Honduras, and Paraguay could be fresher Latina choices. Vietnam might also benefit from a strong fanbase. Iraq might make it for publicity and ratings, though her personal safety should come first. Lastly, should they decide to grant more slots to Africans, Angola, Ghana, and Zambia should be next in line. Same goes for Tanzania, who might benefit from sympathy votes.

DARK HORSES
Aruba, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Curacao, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Laos, Mauritius, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, US Virgin Islands
Mauritius and US Virgin Islands lost some of their Supranational sparkle, but who knows what surprises they can still pull?. Indochinese newcomers Cambodia and Laos might ride on beginners’ luck. Trinidad and Tobago might also benefit from Wendy Fitzwilliam‘s presence as judge (Also, welcome back). Also, props to Egypt for sending a solid performer.

LONG SHOTS
Albania, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Italy, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Norway, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Ukraine, Uruguay  
We never know, really. Bahamas and Singapore might have aced their interviews, which make for a huge scoring percentage. Bulgaria‘s Iris Mittanaere Version 2.0. And Belgium and Guatemala might benefit from the Siera Bearchell card.

Good luck to all the candidates!