The Canadians finished joint-fifth in Group 2 with Argentina and Portugal in the 2014 World League. They won six and lost six en route but were seven points behind Belgium in Pool C. A year earlier they progressed from the then Pool C all the way to the Final Round before being eliminated on set ratio. They enter this tournament off the back of an impressive display in last year's World Championship where they finished joint-seventh. They had a good run, but were denied a final-six place by a strong pool including Brazil and Russia. The team also finished second behind the United States in 2013's NORCECA Championship.
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. They have the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto to look forward to in July with the main goal being qualification for Rio de Janeiro 2016 to end a 24-year absence from the Olympic Games. 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 17 top-three NORCECA Championship finishes.