It's really only been since 2019 that the team has been competitive. Canada's men's national team may as well have not existed prior to then. It did not have the quality to beat top or even mid level nations. They somehow won the Gold Cup in 2000.
Only tournaments played since becoming a competitive would be the 2021 Gold Cup ( Semi-Final loss in 8th minute of stoppage time to Mexico, very good tournament for Canada), 2022 World Cup (we all know what happened there) and 2023 Gold Cup (Canada's B squad lost in penalties to USA's B squad in the quarterfinals, very unlucky result. Canada had taken the lead in extra time and then squandered it, and were the better team throughout).
They also qualified to the final of the 2023 Nations League, losing to USA.
So it's been a mixed bag. This tournament is a huge test to their mettle. Getting out of the group stage would be massive.
My first exposure to Team Canada in tournament competition was when I was living in Hamburg and they qualified for Mexico '86.
I remember a few things:
1. Our group (not an easy one), comprised of France, the Soviet Union and Hungary.
2. Our odds (the worst in the World Cup) at 1000-1 to win. Iraq was 2nd worst at 500-1. My German friends weren't very confident about Canada's chances.
3. Our team clearly didn't deserve a two-page spread in the Panini sticker book, but rather the single page with two players per sticker.
4. I think we hit the post against France and that was it.
5. Some of the names of the players: Valentine, Vrbalic, Samuel, Mitchell, Lenarduzzi, Lettieri.
Unfortunately, our most recent World Cup experience was almost identical.