Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026 on Saturday, becoming only the second woman from her country to win the title, while Nigeria’s Tamunosoye Karibi-George advanced to the Top 12.
The grand finale took place at April 2 Square in Nha Trang before contestants from 72 other nations. Dominguez’s victory comes 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez claimed the crown for the Dominican Republic in 1982.
Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern was named first runner-up and Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty second runner-up. Chetty also received the Beauty with a Purpose award.
Karibi-George, known as Soye, progressed steadily through the competition. She first secured an automatic place in the Top 40 by winning the Africa Top Model title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest, ahead of contestants from Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya and South Africa.
She then advanced to the Top 20 and the Top 12 alongside representatives from Brazil, France, the Philippines, Zambia and Zimbabwe, but did not reach the final six.
The finalists were Dominguez, Reynés Alabern, Chetty, Vietnam’s Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc, South Africa’s Romanda Hombir and Eritrea’s Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin.
Dominguez, 24, is a model, teacher, journalist and community advocate who studied Business Management and Administration. She founded Voices of Tomorrow to improve English education access for vulnerable children.
Karibi-George, 26, from Port Harcourt, was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 in June after representing Bayelsa State. A communications professional, model, actress and founder of the Beyond Labels initiative supporting children with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals, she performed Sia’s “Opportunity” in the talent segment and showcased Niger Delta heritage through her “Amazon of the Mangrove” costume.
The 2026 edition, featuring 111 contestants, marked Vietnam’s first time hosting Miss World and coincided with the pageant’s 75th anniversary.
The next contest is scheduled for Tanzania in 2027
