Why do Scotland fans sing the unofficial anthem at the World Cup?
Scotland fans drew attention when they sang the song "Flower of Scotland" in the first round of the World Cup before the game against Haiti, instead of the United Kingdom's national anthem.
The practice frequently happens during the country's games and should be repeated in matches against Morocco and Brazil.
See the fans singing:
"Flower of Scotland" here in Foxborough. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/txRwKiG2KJ
- Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) June 14, 2026
Does Scotland have its own anthem?
Officially, no.
Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, using "God Save the King" as its anthem, as are Northern Ireland, Wales and England.
This song, in its current form, was first performed in 1745, but the lyrics and melody are anonymous and may date back to the 17th century, according to the official website of the British royal family.
The song only began to be used as an anthem at the beginning of the 19th century.
A curious fact is that, during the reign of Elizabeth II, the song was called "God Save the Queen", with the necessary changes in the lyrics to portray the monarch.
Flower of Scotland Song
Many Scots adopted the song "Flower of Scotland" as their anthem.
Professor Ewen Cameron, from the History, Classical Studies and Archeology sector at the University of Edinburgh, explained to CNN Brasil that there were several versions of "God Save the Queen/King", some of which "are explicitly anti-Scottish, as they were sung at the time of a rebellion against the monarchy associated with Scotland".
As a result, the song became very unpopular and was often booed at games.
"Flower of Scotland" addresses the wars between Scotland and England in the early 14th century and the Scottish victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, according to Cameron.
The song was composed in the late 1960s by Roy Williamson, member of a folk group called The Corries.
How did Flor da Scotland become an "anthem"?
Cameron explained to CNN Brasil that the song began to be used in international rugby games in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Later, it began to be sung at international football matches and, now, in all sports. "My son played water polo for Scotland and they sang this song before the matches," commented the teacher.
"For a while, a different song, "Scotland the Brave", was used, but the lyrics are not very well known. When the rugby team started using "Flower of Scotland", it became seen by the public as the unofficial Scottish national anthem and began to be used officially", he pointed out.
See the lyrics of Flower of Scotland used in the Cup:
O flower of Scotland,
When will we see
Someone like you again,
Who fought and died for
Your little hill and valley,
And resisted
To the Army of proud Edward,
And sent him back home,
To rethink
Those days are long gone,
And in the past they must remain,
But we can still rise now,
And be the nation again,
That resisted
To the army of proud Edward,
And sent him back home,
To rethink
Source: CNN