Navicha misses Head-to-Head Top 40 spot

Malawi’s Ireen Navicha has missed out on a place in the Top 40 of the Miss World 2026 competition after failing to win the African round of the Head-to-Head Challenge.

Navicha had used the challenge to spotlight teenage pregnancy and early marriage, highlighting how the issues continue to disrupt girls’ education in Malawi.

But, South Africa’s Romanda Hombir, 27, has won the African round of the Miss World Head-to-Head Challenge, earning her a place in the competition’s Top 40.

Hombir emerged as the winner after being selected from the top five African contestants, which also included representatives from Eritrea, Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria.

The five contestants were selected from a field of 21 African representatives taking part in the Miss World competition.

Hombir’s victory automatically secures her a place in the Top 40, giving South Africa a strong position in the competition.

Meanwhile, Malawi’s representative Ireen Navicha has missed out on the Head-to-Head Challenge qualification and will now have to rely on the remaining challenges to secure a place in the Top 40.South Africa’s Romanda Hombir Wins Miss World Head-to-Head Challenge

South Africa’s Romanda Hombir, 27, has won the African round of the Miss World Head-to-Head Challenge, earning her a place in the competition’s Top 40.

Hombir emerged as the winner after being selected from the top five African contestants, which also included representatives from Eritrea, Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria.

The five contestants were selected from a field of 21 African representatives taking part in the Miss World competition.

Hombir’s victory automatically secures her a place in the Top 40, giving South Africa a strong position in the competition.

Meanwhile, Navicha will now have to rely on the remaining challenges to secure a place in the Top 40.