Nadeen Ayoub to help select Palestine's Miss Universe 2026 representative

Nadeen Ayoub, the first Palestinian woman to compete in Miss Universe, will assist in selecting Palestine's next Miss Universe 2026 representative. The Miss Palestine Organization has announced its first national competition in decades, inviting women aged 18 to 35, living in Palestine or the diaspora, to apply. Ayoub, who will host the competition under the theme "Beauty Beyond Borders," will combine traditional pageantry elements with mentorship, leadership development, and cultural representation.

The final casting will occur in Palestine and Jordan, followed by a grand finale in Jordan in October. The winner will represent Palestine at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, set to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November. The diamond jubilee edition will be held at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot arena, marking the competition's return to the island after 23 years.

Ayoub emphasized the significance of Miss Palestine, stating that it is a platform for Palestinian women to be seen, heard, and supported, enabling them to represent their identity with confidence, share their talents with the world, and create impact beyond the stage. The competition comes a year after Ayoub made history as the first Palestinian to participate in Miss Universe.

Following her Miss Universe 2025 appearance in Thailand, where she reached the top 30, Ayoub expressed a deep sense of responsibility, stating that she feels a huge duty to represent Palestine on international platforms, particularly during the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.