For two centuries the national anthem here has been a somber plea for the monarch’s longevity, and “God Save the Queen” is routinely sung as England’s sports teams line up for international matches.

But now the anthem, and not just the sovereign, may be in need of saving.

On Wednesday, lawmakers agreed to debate in March a bill that, while not scrapping “God Save the Queen,” would create another anthem to be played before England’s teams take on foreign rivals.