SPAIN face France for a place in the World Cup final tonight, but fans have noticed something strange when the national anthem plays.
Unlike almost every other nation at the tournament, none of the players sing along to the music. Here’s everything we know about why.
Spain’s players don’t sing during the national anthem Credit: Alamy
The anthem used to have lyrics, but they were dropped for good reason Credit: Getty
Why does Spain’s national anthem have no official lyrics?
The Marcha Real (Royal March) is one of just four national anthems in the world with no official lyrics, alongside those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and San Marino.
It dates back to 1761, when it was composed by Manuel de Espinosa de los Monteros and documented in a book of military calls for the Spanish infantry, where it appeared under the title Marcha Granadera.
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It was adopted as a state anthem in 1770, and later became the national anthem during Queen Isabella II’s reign (1833-68).
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Has the Spanish national anthem ever had lyrics?
The anthem briefly had competition during Spain’s Second Republic between 1930 and 1939, when the Himno de Riego was used instead.
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After taking power in 1939, General Francisco Franco reinstated the Marcha Real, this time with updated lyrics by the poet Jose Maria Peman, celebrating the “rebirth” of Spain under his rule.
Those lyrics were dropped not long after the dictator died in 1975, and the anthem has remained wordless ever since.
Attempts to bring back official lyrics have repeatedly failed.
In 2007, the Spanish Olympic Committee ran a public competition and selected a winning entry from over 7,000 entries.
But it was scrapped within days following a public backlash to the proposed lyrics, which opened with “Viva Espana”.
What do Spain’s players and fans do during the anthem?
With no words to sing, Spain’s players simply stand in silence as the anthem plays.
Supporters in the stands sometimes hum or sing “lo lo lo” along to the melody.
The lack of lyrics has occasionally sparked confusion among fans unfamiliar with the anthem.
Some viewers have even mistakenly accused Spanish footballers of disrespecting their own country.
Spain have impressed on their way to the last four, building on their Euro 2024 triumph, where they beat England in the final.
