The Miss World 2026 crown will not return to France. This Saturday, September 5th, in Nha Trang, Vietnam , Joheirry Mola Dominguez, representing the Dominican Republic, was crowned Miss World 2026 at the conclusion of the 73rd edition of the competition. She succeeds Suchata "Opal" Chuangsri of Thailand, Miss World 2025.
Spain's Elisabeth Reynés finished as first runner-up, while Malaysia's Taanusiya Chetty took third place and became second runner-up. Indira Ampiot, Miss France 2023 and the French representative, therefore left without the crown, despite being among the strongest contenders for the title.
Joheirry Mola delivers a second world title to the Dominican Republic
Joheirry Mola helped the Dominican Republic win Miss World for the second time in its history. The country's first victory was in 1982.
The Dominican woman triumphed over 110 other national representatives. Aged 27, she stands 1,75 m tall and holds a degree in management and administration from the Universidad Iberoamericana. She has several jobs: English literature and social studies teacher, Univision correspondent in New York , and professional model.
She is also the founder and president of Voices of Tomorrow, an initiative to develop English language learning for children and young people from disadvantaged communities.
The new Miss World was far from arriving in the final in anonymity. During the competition, she notably won the Top Model Challenge for the Americas and Caribbean region , securing her a place in the Top 40.
Indira Ampiot had, however, achieved an almost perfect run before the final
For Indira Ampiot, the disappointment is undoubtedly significant. The Frenchwoman had put in numerous impressive performances since arriving in Vietnam and appeared to be a genuine contender for the title.
The 21-year-old from Guadeloupe had notably won the European Top Model Challenge, which had directly secured her a place in the Top 40. She had also won the European Fashion Designer Award with a creation by Anaïs Ricard and was among the last European candidates selected for the Beauty With a Purpose competition.
This journey had considerably strengthened her status before the final. A few months earlier, Indira Ampiot had been chosen to represent France at Miss World 2026 , three years after her crowning as Miss France.
The French contestant was also particularly well-placed in several rankings compiled by international pageant specialists. Missosology, for example, had placed her in its final Top 5.
“France will win Miss World 2026”: Stephen Diaz’s prediction falls flat
A few hours before the final, a particularly categorical prediction had nevertheless attracted attention. Stephen Diaz, executive director of Miss International, had written on X: "FRANCE to win Miss World 2026" , meaning "France will win Miss World 2026".
This statement had led to questions about a possible victory for Indira Ampiot , especially given the new international positioning of the Miss France Society.
The result is now unambiguous: Stephen Diaz was wrong . The French woman did not win Miss World, and the crown goes to the Dominican Republic. His message, therefore, appears in hindsight to be a prediction, however assertive it may have been, and not the premature announcement of a result already known.
The new format has gradually reduced 111 candidates to just six finalists.
This 2026 edition was based on a new selection system. The 111 candidates were first narrowed down to a Top 40, then to a Top 20 and a Top 12 before a Top 6 was formed.
The final six places were allocated through several channels: one candidate for each of the four major regions of the competition, one candidate from Beauty With a Purpose, and one final candidate qualified through the People's Choice.
From this Top 6, the jury had to determine the top three places in the overall ranking. Joheirry Mola ultimately won the crown, ahead of Elisabeth Reynés and Taanusiya Chetty.
A result that puts an end to suspicions surrounding a pre-ordained French victory.
The result also takes on a particular dimension in France. For several days, Indira Ampiot has publicly expressed her support for Miss France's withdrawal from Miss Universe.
The former Miss France, who herself participated in Miss Universe 2024, explained: "There were a lot of issues and I don't think it reflected the image of Miss France." She also mentioned "too many strange things, too much favoritism" in her experience of the competition.
Miss France's decision to align herself with Miss World after suspending her participation in Miss Universe had therefore given Indira Ampiot's candidacy particular importance. A French victory just a few months after this break would inevitably have fueled speculation, especially after Stephen Diaz's spectacular prediction.
It ultimately did not take place. The Dominican Republic won the crown, and Joheirry Mola became Miss World 2026. For Indira Ampiot, the international adventure ended without a world title, despite a run that had established her as one of the favorites before the final.
