Why is Marc Guehi not eligible to play in the Carabao Cup final?

Manchester City might have gone past Newcastle United with a 3-1 win in the second leg of the Carabao Cup, but manager Pep Guardiola lamented the absence of Marc Guehi from the squad.

The English defender had to watch from the sidelines because he was not eligible to play for the rest of the tournament.

«Why wouldn’t he play? Why not?» Guardiola said after the match. “He is our player, we pay his salary, we hired him.

«We want to ask. I told the club that we definitely have to ask. I don’t understand the reason why he can’t play in the final of the League Cup (also known as the Carabao Cup) in March, even though he has been here for a long time.»

Guehi is one of two big winter signings this winter and comes from Crystal Palace, while Antoine Semenyo is the other, who comes from AFC Bournemouth.

Semenyo remains eligible to play in the Carabao Cup, but Guehi is not.

Why can’t Marc Guehi play in the Carabao Cup?

Under Rule 6.4.2 of the EFL Cup Rulebook, a player is eligible to play in the Carabao Cup if he has participated in the competition prior to the close of the winter transfer window or the first leg of the semi-final (whichever comes first)’.

Semenyo arrived at City on January 9, while Guehi signed for City on January 19.

Man City played the first leg of the semi-final on January 13. Because Semenyo arrived before the first leg and Guehi later, the Ghanaian is eligible to participate in the Carabao Cup, while Guehi is not.

However, competition rules state that he would have had to join them “before the close of the winter transfer window, or the first leg of the semi-finals (whichever comes first)” to be eligible to play.

«Of course we are going to ask (to reconsider Guehi’s case) because it is pure logic. But changing the rule is impossible. But we will try,» Guardiola said.

Man City will play Premier League toppers Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on March 22.

Published on February 5, 2026