Here’s a fun one for when Spain plays Cape Verde on June 15: watch the Spanish players during their anthem and you’ll notice almost nobody is singing. That’s not rudeness — the “Marcha Real” is one of the only national anthems in the world with no official lyrics at all.
| Anthem | Marcha Real (Royal March) |
| Origin | 1761 (as the “Marcha Granadera”) |
| Official Lyrics | None |
| Status | One of the world’s oldest anthems |
| Language | Instrumental |
The Anthem With No Words
The “Marcha Real” is purely instrumental. There are no official lyrics, so at matches Spanish players and fans either hum along or simply stand in silence (you’ll sometimes hear a crowd go “lo-lo-lo” to the tune). It’s one of only a handful of wordless anthems on the planet.
Why Does It Have No Lyrics?
Several attempts to add words have failed — most recently a public contest in 2007 whose winning entry was quickly dropped after backlash. In a country with strong regional identities and languages, agreeing on a single set of Spanish lyrics has proven nearly impossible.
One of the Oldest Anthems
The melody dates back to 1761, when it appeared as the “Marcha Granadera,” making it one of the oldest national anthems still in use. Read more on Wikipedia.
More World Cup 2026 Anthems & Music
More World Cup 2026 national anthems: Mexico · USA · Canada · Brazil. See also our history of every World Cup anthem (1962–2026) and who sings the official World Cup 2026 song.
Spain’s La Roja Take the Stage
Spain arrive at every World Cup as one of the favorites. La Roja won the tournament in 2010 and have a golden reputation for tiki-taka football, so the wordless “Marcha Real” gets a global audience when they open against Cape Verde on June 15.
Because there are no lyrics, the Spanish anthem is all about the swelling melody and the crowd’s energy filling the silence. It is a fascinating contrast to the lyric-heavy anthems around it — proof that a national anthem doesn’t need a single word to give players goosebumps.
The lack of words isn’t for want of trying. In 2007 the Spanish Olympic Committee even ran a contest and chose a winning set of lyrics, only to drop them within days after a public backlash. The “Marcha Real” has stayed wordless ever since.
On the pitch, none of that dulls the moment. As reigning European champions and 2010 world champions, La Roja sing — or hum — their anthem with the swagger of a side that genuinely expects to win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Spain’s anthem have no words?
The “Marcha Real” has no official lyrics; attempts to add them, including a 2007 contest, have repeatedly failed amid political and regional disagreement.
What is Spain’s national anthem called?
It’s the “Marcha Real” (Royal March), a purely instrumental anthem.
How old is the Marcha Real?
Its melody dates to 1761, making it one of the oldest national anthems in continuous use.
What do Spanish fans sing during the anthem?
Since there are no words, fans often hum the melody or chant ‘lo-lo-lo’ along to the tune.