Why Spain’s Soccer Team Won’t Sing Their National Anthem

Updated July 14, 2026, 2:51 p.m. ET

What’s Happening Before the Big Game

The Spain men’s national soccer team will play against France in the FIFA Men’s World Cup semifinal at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 14.

Before the game, the country’s national anthem will be played. But here’s the fun part:

• The Spain players will not sing any lyrics during their anthem.
• That’s because the anthem has no words at all!

Meet “The Royal March”

Spain’s national anthem is called “Marcha Real” (say it like: Mar-cha Re-al), which means “The Royal March.”

Here’s a simple history:

• It was composed (made) in 1761.
• It was written as a military march for the Spanish Infantry (soldiers who walk in steps).
• According to classicfm.com, that’s why it sounds like a proud marching song.

Why There Are No Lyrics Today

A long time ago, a dictator (a leader with total control) named General Francisco Franco ruled Spain. During his time:

• A fascist (someone who supported a strict, controlling government) wrote words for the anthem.
• But after Franco died, Spain became a democracy (a country where people vote for leaders).
• The old lyrics were dropped, just like the dictatorship ended.

Important Point: Spain tried to write new lyrics later, but those efforts failed. The anthem stayed wordless.

A Plan That Didn’t Work

In 2008, a famous Spanish opera singer named Plácido Domingo was supposed to sing new lyrics at an Olympic Committee gala (a fancy party for the Olympics).

• The lyrics were written by Paulino Cubero, a 52-year-old unemployed engineer.
• But many people strongly disagreed with the plan.
• Because of this resistance, the plan was stopped.

World Atlas says Cubero later said: “These are the miseries of our country.” (Meaning: this is one of the messy problems our country has.)

Not the Only Wordless Anthem

Spain is not alone! Other countries also have anthems with no lyrics:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovo
• San Marino

But here’s the key difference:

• Spain is the only one of these still playing for the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Summary

Before Spain plays France in the World Cup semifinal on July 14, 2026, their national anthem “Marcha Real” will play with no singing. The anthem has no lyrics because old words from a dictator’s time were removed, and new ones were never agreed on. A 2008 plan to add words failed. A few other countries also have wordless anthems, but Spain is the only one still in the World Cup.

FAQ

1. Why doesn’t Spain sing their national anthem?
Because their anthem, “Marcha Real,” has no lyrics. It is just music.

2. When was the Spanish anthem created?
It was composed in 1761 as a military march for Spanish soldiers.

3. Did Spain ever try to add words?
Yes. In 2008, new lyrics were written for Plácido Domingo to sing, but people opposed it and the plan was canceled.

4. Which other countries have no-lyric anthems?
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and San Marino, but Spain is the only one in the 2026 World Cup semifinal.

5. What game is this about?
Spain vs. France in the FIFA Men’s World Cup semifinal at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.