Canada finished third in Group 2’s Pool C at the 2015 World League after winning six and losing six of their 12 matches. Three of their wins came against Cuba while they also defeated Argentina at home in week four. Toronto hosted the 2015 Pan American Games and as home nation Canada beat Puerto Rico to take the bronze medal. Canada will compete at the World Cup for the first time in 12 years when they take to the court in Japan. They last appeared in 2003 and finished seventh. There has been gradual improvement in results in the competition since they were placed 12th in their debut appearance in 1977, 10th in 1995 and eighth in 1999.

The main goal is to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and end a 24-year absence from the competition. In the build-up they finished joint-seventh at the 2014 World Championship and second behind the United States in the NORCECA Championship in 2013. Under the guidance of coach Glenn Hoag – a veteran of the 1980s side considered Canada's best ever – the present crop will be highly motivated to build on their recent good form. Their achievements include a fourth-place finish at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, two bronze medals at the Pan American Games (1979 and 1999) and 18 top-three NORCECA Championship finishes.