World Photographic Cup / Top 10 in the World
The World Photographic Cup is a one of a kind international team competition where nations across the globe, including Canada, submit a collection of 30 amazing images – in the hopes of winning the World Photographic Cup. The international judging is now complete and Team Canada is thrilled to announce we have seven World Top 10 images. These photographers are now in the running for individual Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals and depending on their final ranking these images have the chance to help Team Canada win the cup!
2026 / Seven Canadian Images Top 10 in the World
Team Canada is proud to have 7 images among the Top 10 in the world at the 2026 World Photographic Cup (WPC). The exceptional representing photographers will travel to Iceland in April to represent Canada on the world stage at the World Photographic Cup. Canada’s team, made up of 30 photographers, gathered virtually and shared a sense of camaraderie and pride, cheering loudly every time a Canadian image was announced in the Top 10.
Here are Canada’s Top 10 photographers:
Manpreet Sokhi – Burnaby BC, Category: Portrait Illustrative
Andrew Hiorth – Vaughan ON (2 photos in the Top 10) Portrait Natural & Wedding Open
Jacquie Matechuk – Cochrane, AB Category: Nature Wildlife
Rabih Madi- Laval, QC Category: Wedding Open
Michelle Valberg – Ottawa, ON Category: Nature Wildlife (also earned a Best of Nation award for highest scoring Canadian image)
Geoff Gabriel – Toronto, ON Category: Reportage/Photojournalism
The World Photographic Cup is far from a typical photo competition; it’s a prestigious, Olympic-style event that celebrates the art of photography on a global stage. In this unique format, photographers from nations around the world compete not only as individuals but as a cohesive team representing their country. “Standing together as a team with extraordinarily talented photographers, each of us bringing our own vision and voice, is both humbling and powerful. It is about shared effort, shared pride, and carrying our country into the global conversation of photography,” said finalist Michelle Valberg.
Canada, hoping to better their podium finish in 2024, joins 28 other nations in submitting images across various categories with the goal of winning the World Photographic Cup. Canada’s images demonstrated the remarkable skill and artistry of our country’s photographers and highlighted the team’s dedication to excellence and their ambition to shine on the world stage. Each Top 10 recognition served as a testament to their collective talent and hard work, fostering a strong sense of unity and national pride as they cheered on their teammates’ success.
“This achievement reinforces what we already know—Canada is home to extraordinary creative talent. We are proud to share this moment as a team, united by camaraderie, passion, and the journey to the podium in Iceland.”
Jillian Chateauneuf, Team Canada Co-Captain
