Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026 at the pageant’s grand finale on Saturday, edging out finalists from Spain, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Africa and Eritrea, while Nigeria’s representative was eliminated in the Top 12.
Mola, 24, received the crown from outgoing titleholder Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand at the ceremony, marking the Dominican Republic’s second Miss World title, coming 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez’s win in 1982. Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern placed as first runner-up and Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty as second runner-up, with the remainder of the top six comprising representatives from Vietnam, South Africa and Eritrea.
Mola holds a business management degree and teaches literature and social studies in English, alongside work as a model and a Spanish-language media correspondent covering Dominican community affairs. She also founded an organization focused on expanding English-language education access for children in underserved communities, a cause that featured prominently in her campaign.
Nigeria’s contestant, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, a 26-year-old from Port Harcourt representing Bayelsa State, advanced through the Top 40, Top 20 and Top 12 rounds before being eliminated at that stage. She had earlier claimed the pageant’s Top Model for Africa title.
This year’s edition, held at Nha Trang’s April 2 Square, was the first Miss World hosted in Vietnam and coincided with the organization’s 75th anniversary. Several countries — including Eritrea, French Guiana, the Maldives, Mozambique and Pakistan — competed for the first time. Organizers said the next edition will be staged in Tanzania in 2027.
