France, June 8 -- In 1974, the national team played at the World Cup in West Germany as Zaire, as the DRC had been renamed by then president Mobutu Sese Seko.

The players were the first sub-Saharan African team to participate in a World Cup.

Once there, the accolade counted for nothing. Scotland beat them 2-0 in the opener in Dortmund. And they lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia and 3-0 to Brazil to depart after the group stages.

More than 50 years after that appearance, French coach Sebastien Desabre will lead a squad to the most prestigious international tournament.

"We're incredibly proud for a whole generation who haven't been able to see their national team at the World Cup and who are finally going to see them there," Desabre said after the...