Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026 at the grand finale of the 73rd Miss World Festival, held on the evening of Saturday, September 5, 2026, at April 2 Square in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
The 24-year-old educator, journalist, and model defeated 110 other delegates to secure her country’s second Miss World title, 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez brought home the crown in 1982.
Dominguez succeeded outgoing queen Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri of Thailand. Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern was named first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty took second runner-up honors along with the Beauty with a Purpose award.
Nigeria’s representative, 26-year-old Tamunosoye Karibi-George (popularly known as “Soye”), staged a notable campaign, advancing through 111 contestants to finish among the pageant’s Top 12. Karibi-George earned an automatic spot in the Top 40 earlier in the festival by winning the Africa Top Model title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest, before steadily advancing into the Top 20 and Top 12 stages alongside contestants from Brazil, France, the Philippines, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The official proceedings were co-hosted by reigning Mr. World Danny Mejia and Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle. During the final stage, Dominguez sealed her victory with an address highlighting her advocacy, Voices of Tomorrow, which provides English language education to children in vulnerable communities.
“My Beauty with a Purpose is to take English programmes to children in vulnerable communities because I believe that knowing this language can open huge doors of opportunity for them,” Dominguez told the audience during the final Q&A segment. “It gives us the ability to express our feelings and communicate our purpose…
It is a tool that will stay with them and benefit them for the rest of their lives.” Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian delegation, representatives praised Karibi-George’s execution on stage, noting her performance of Sia’s “Opportunity” in the talent round and her “Amazon of the Mangrove” national dress that highlighted Niger Delta heritage.
The 2026 contest marked the first time Vietnam has hosted the event and coincided with the Miss World Organisation’s 75th anniversary. The host country for the 74th Miss World pageant was announced as Tanzania for 2027.
