Since I watched every single game of Argentina in the last world cup I can say from what I saw and compared to the other teams, they don't have too much chance and the reason is their playing style. Argentina's national team is mostly based on Messi and you saw in the last world cup Messi was the key for them and definitely, without Messi they are going to have problems, while Messi is 35y old right now and in the next world cup he will be 38y old so he won't play like today so he will think about retirement and without him, Argentina won't play good like these days.
Argentina has always been dependent on their talisman Messi and this World Cup proved that theory. When Messi had a brief retirement, Argentina had win games so the team revolved around him and also Dimaria. But if we look at the current squad we could see young and exciting players. The likes of Lisandro Martinez, De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alvarez and Mac Allister will be at their prime then. Players like Garnacho and Angel Correa will also be ready to compete. The only thing Argentina needs now is to build on a style of play without Messi. If they could get this team to play as a unit then could go on a long way.
Argentina at the 2022 world cup is not a special squad, even new names have sprung up since then. like Enzo, Alvarez, Mac Alisster, who are in the spotlight compared to other players, except for their talisman, namely Messi. but yes, Messi's influence in the 2022 world cup is enormous. however, it cannot be denied, that the Argentinian squad really does play as a team. they rely on teamwork, especially when Argentina is building an attack, the transitions between players they do are so quick, and so good.
Speaking of the 2026 world cup later, I'm not sure Messi will still be involved, especially since Messi has previously announced his retirement from the national team. so, Scaloni must prepare the potential of younger players. and as you said, Argentina has a lot of potential players, and some of the names you have mentioned. after all, the 2026 world cup is still very long, maybe there will be new names who will become the golden generation after Messi.
And that's what I'm holding to, he is indeed a man of his words and surely he won't do any unnecessary move that will disappoint his mother land after the statement he did. Besides, it will be much more entertaining if he will still play in WC '26 despite the age factor that he is experiencing as it's almost too impossible to tell that there won't be no changes at all in the following years from now and they are the defending champs, the team still needed him even if he won't be playing that long quality minutes anymore.
