Marc Gehi made his name on the international stage at the European Championships in Germany two years ago and will be at the heart of England’s defense at the World Cup.
Mark Guehi has emerged as one of England’s leaders (Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Marc Gehi enjoyed the lift-off at the Euros and is now preparing for the next chapter at the World Cup. Guehi turned heads in Germany 2024 as he was one of the star players of the tournament and took his career to the next level while learning valuable lessons along the way.
England defender Guehi now believes manager Thomas Tuchel can take the team one step further this summer as the Three Lions dream of glory in the United States. Guehi said: “We have great players and we have really good team spirit within the team with so many different elements and so many new faces. We are also a balanced team so I hope we can do something special.”
“Will I win? Only God knows, to be honest. But I know I can control what I can control, and I’m working hard every day to make sure I’m ready for the tournament.”
“A new manager and his experience at different clubs will definitely help as well. Also, let’s see what happens. It could make a difference.”
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“But that belief has to come from us first and foremost. Anyone can come in and try to give the belief. But the players have to have that belief on the pitch.”
“It’s a collective effort because it’s us who are responsible and it’s us who play. As long as we have that belief, good things can happen. But we’ll see.”
Guehi had a different view of the euro. He injured his knee just before the tournament and never thought he would be able to play, but he ended up becoming one of England’s best players.
“It was definitely fun to be on that ride. Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted, but it was special to be a part of that journey,” he said. “I’m grateful, but when I look back at that time, I remember that I wasn’t even planning on coming out and playing in that tournament in the first place because I was coming back from a knee injury.
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England’s 60-year wait could end this summer (Image: Toshiba Television)
Marc Gehi became the mainstay of his home country (Image: Toshiba Television)
“I went there to enjoy it. I had fun and didn’t put any pressure on myself. And thankfully, it’s something I can look back on and take away a lot of lessons from. I think being nervous is a normal part of football, but fear… you don’t have time for fear on the football pitch. Fear definitely holds you back in different ways.”
“The lesson I took from the Euros was, ‘Go and have fun.’ There’s no guarantee that you’ll have moments like this, and they’re not guaranteed at all. Especially because we have so much talent in this country and we were so happy just to be there.”
Guehi has also made great strides under Tuchel. He did not start in the new manager’s first match against Albania in March 2025, but he wore the armband in England’s final warm-up match against Japan at Wembley a year later.
Although the honor of wearing the armband was huge for him, he insists the team always comes first. He added: “When a new manager comes in, you want to see all the players play, you want to observe them with your own eyes, but there’s never a guarantee.
Mark Guehi recently captained England in Harry Kane’s absence (Image: Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
“When I didn’t start for the first time, it wasn’t a shock for me. It doesn’t surprise me anymore, because I take it as normal. He comes to see all the players play, but there are no guarantees. He has to show what he can do there and also at his club.”
“So I always think of it as a blessing and a good thing. As for the captaincy, it was quite a surprise for me. I never dreamed of it. Just being able to play for England is a blessing and I’m grateful.”
“Wearing the armband for your country is a really big deal. I don’t mean to take that lightly at all. But my focus is on helping the team. Even if I’m not playing, I’m going to try to help the team achieve what they want to achieve. That’s the most important thing.”
To celebrate the moment when fans come together, Toshiba Television has partnered with England international Mark Guehi and football streetwear designer Kira Villa to launch a limited edition retro Replay shirt.
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