Few anthems hit as hard as France’s. When “La Marseillaise” kicks in before a France match, it sounds less like a song and more like a battle cry — because, well, that’s exactly what it was written to be. Here’s the story behind one of the most stirring (and surprisingly intense) anthems on Earth.
| Anthem | La Marseillaise |
| Written | 1792 |
| By | Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle |
| Adopted | 1795 |
| Language | French |
| Opening Line | “Allons enfants de la Patrie…” |
What “La Marseillaise” Means
It’s a revolutionary war song, plain and simple. The opening — “Allons enfants de la Patrie” (“Arise, children of the Fatherland”) — is a rallying call to defend the nation. The lyrics are genuinely fierce, full of marching, banners, and defending liberty against tyranny. Nobody could ever accuse the French of writing a gentle anthem.
Why It’s Called “La Marseillaise”
Fun bit of history: it was composed in 1792 by army officer Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg, as a war song for the Army of the Rhine. It got its name because volunteer troops from Marseille sang it as they marched into Paris, and it stuck. France adopted it as the national anthem in 1795.
From Revolution to the World Cup
More than two centuries later, it’s still one of the most recognizable anthems in the world, and the French national team belts it with serious intensity. You can read the full lyrics and history on Wikipedia.
More World Cup 2026 host & team anthems: Mexico · USA · Canada. See also our history of every World Cup anthem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is France’s national anthem called?
“La Marseillaise,” written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle.
What does “La Marseillaise” mean?
It’s a revolutionary war song calling citizens to rise and defend the nation. It opens with “Allons enfants de la Patrie” — “Arise, children of the Fatherland.”
Why is it called “La Marseillaise”?
Because volunteer soldiers from Marseille sang it as they marched on Paris in 1792, and the name stuck.
When did it become France’s anthem?
It was adopted as the national anthem in 1795.