The team reached international prominence at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, losing in the bronze medal match to the United States.

[7][8] Having been advised by coach Neil Turnbull that losing both matches might prompt the early demise of the program itself, Canada won the second 2–1, with both of its goals scored by Geri Donnelly.

The team rallied late in the game, with Helen Stoumbos scoring the country's first-ever World Cup goal (at either men's or women's editions), an Olympico, in the 87th minute.

[13] Canada defeated Mexico in the final, with Liz Smith scoring the match's lone goal, and earning its first ever major championship gold.

[13] At the landmark 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, Canada drew its opening match against Japan, but lost 7–1 to Norway and 4–1 to Russia, exiting at the group stage for the second consecutive time.

[13] Pellerud continued to bring new young players into the roster in the next few years, with the squad for the 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup including future mainstays Candace Chapman, Carmelina Moscato, and Kara Lang, in addition to Sinclair.

Canada enter the 2004 CONCACAF Women's Pre-Olympic Tournament as heavy favourites to qualify, but were unexpectedly ousted by Mexico in the semi-final, missing the Olympics for the third time.

"[35] Pellerud sought to improve training conditions and professional standards for the historically underfunded women's team, persuading Greg Kerfoot, the owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps in the men's USL First Division, to help finance a residency program that would allow players to earn a salary and focus on playing soccer full-time in the years leading up to the next World Cup and Olympics.

[41][22] Later in the year, the team won a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games, in what was widely considered an unimpressive performance marked by player complaints about overtraining.

[42] The CSA declined the opportunity to host the 2008 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, saying they could not afford the estimated $400,000 expenditure, a decision Pellerud publicly criticized.

[42] Canada defeated Mexico in a semi-final rematch from four years' prior, earning its first Olympic berth, in what Sinclair called "sweet revenge.

[44] The team advanced out of the group stage before being defeated by the United States, the eventual gold medallists, in their quarter-final match, with Sinclair scoring Canada's lone goal in the 2–1 loss.

[13][48] With the United States unexpectedly ousted in the semi-final, Canada faced Mexico in the final, winning 1–0 with Sinclair scoring to take the first major senior title of her tenure.

[48] At the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Canada faced host nation Germany in its opener, a 2–1 defeat most noteworthy for Sinclair scoring a goal despite having her nose broken by a German player earlier in the match.

After defeating South Africa and drawing Sweden, Canada nevertheless advanced out of the group stage as the third seed, led by performances from Sinclair and Melissa Tancredi.

[74] Herdman expressed a desire "to aim high and make sure 2015 is a memorable year for Canada," in the hopes of accelerating the growth of support for both women's soccer and the sport in general.

[79] Centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan earned distinction at the tournament, being named the winner of the FIFA Young Player Award and a place on the All-Star Squad.

[80] Later in the summer, Buchanan joined the Canadian squad for the Pan American women's tournament, alongside other touted emerging talents such as Jessie Fleming, Janine Beckie, Ashley Lawrence, Quinn, and Shelina Zadorsky.

[86] At the Olympic women's tournament, Canada swept its three group stage games, culminating in a historic win over Germany that broke a 12-game, 22-year losing streak.

[93] At the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, Canada narrowly defeated Cameroon in its opening group stage match, with Buchanan scoring the winning header.

[94] After defeating New Zealand, Canada faced the Netherlands in its final group match, losing 2–1, with Sinclair's goal equalling Brazilian Marta's achievement of scoring in five different World Cups.

[99][100][101] During the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship, Sinclair scored her 185th career international goal, breaking the record previously set by American Abby Wambach.

Heiner-Møller had originally intended to depart for a job with the Danish Football Association following the conclusion of the Olympic tournament, but due to the change in scheduling, he instead left in advance of it in the summer of 2020.

Canada eventually won the match 3–2 on penalty kicks to capture the gold medal in women's soccer for the first time, with Julia Grosso scoring the clinching goal.

[114][115][116] The immediate post-Olympic period saw the retirement of Labbé, who had achieved significant fame as a result of her performance in Tokyo, with Kailen Sheridan becoming the team's new starting goalkeeper in advance of the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship.

[119][120] Longstanding disputes with the CSA over compensation and program funding led to the players calling a strike ahead of the 2023 SheBelieves Cup, but under threat of legal action from the federation they agreed to resume training.

[123] Canada was drawn into Group B, entering as one of the favourites to advance, but with questions raised around the team's offensive capabilities, injuries to key players, and the off-field disputes with the CSA.

[133] Canada entered the final group match against co-host Australia needing only a draw to advance to the Round of 16, but were routed 4–0 by the Australians, exiting the tournament.

[137][138][139] Priestman made a number of changes to her configurations, including starting perennial substitute Cloé Lacasse and relative newcomers Jade Rose and Sydney Collins.

[147] In July 2024, prior to the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics, members of the team's staff were accused of using a camera drone to covertly record a practice by New Zealand—the opponent of Canada's first group stage match—at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne.