Again we are talking about Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, I'm sure these two players were perfect players for ways in any team they were playing but both players are getting old and specialty Ronaldo can't have a good performance anymore like he was playing in Real Madrid and after three years I'm sure both players will have even worst performance. We had even more famous players they got retired and other younger players could replace them there is no need to worry about these two players in the 2026 world cup.
We are talking about an event that is scheduled to take place after 3 years from now. In case of Ronaldo, I am 99% sure that he will not be participating. For all practical purposes, he has moved to Saudi Arabia and Euro 2024 (in case Portugal manages to qualify) maybe his last major tournament for Portugal. In case of Messi, I am a bit more optimistic. As the captain of the winning side in 2022, it is his responsibility to defend the trophy in 2026. So the chances are higher that Messi will participate in FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ronaldo is in any case motivated to participate. At the last World Cup he seemed to have passed completely, was almost not used at the tournament. After that he just participated in the qualifying matches for the European Championship. It is difficult to determine whether he will play. After all, if we are going to play the World Cup then we will be 3 years further then you will have reached an age physically that it will be almost impossible to play football at a high level. Just look at Ibrahimovic, he still has a nice level, but he will not reach the old level. Ronaldo is one of the fittest players of his age out there. That helps of course.