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The Scotland head coach's side sit second bottom of Group F ahead of the game at Hampden Park on 26 March.
"We must win that game," he said. "There is no getting away from that."
But Strachan did not wish to consider what a defeat would mean for his own future and said: "Whatever happens after that, we will look at that."
The 60-year-old, who has been in charge since 2013, signed a new two-year contract in October 2015.
Following successive 3-0 defeats away to Slovakia and England, he took time to consider his position but decided in November to carry on after receiving the backing of the Scottish Football Association board.
As he announced his squad for the 22 March warm-up friendly against Canada, followed by the qualifier against Slovenia, Strachan underlined his belief that the Scots could still reach the 2018 finals in Russia.
"If we win that game, we will only be one point behind Slovenia, who are in second at the moment," he said.
Strachan, whose side lie fifth with four points from four matches, insisted he had "no idea" how many points they might require from their final six matches to qualify, while admitting that the Scots could not afford further setbacks.
"But we are looking forward to that challenge and I think the fans will be looking forward to that challenge of going to a game that you must win," he said.
"So, together, we can make it a right good night for us.
"The fans have always given us support, but we really need it on that night.
"The guys will be prepared, the fans will be prepared and we are looking to put in a right good performance."
Strachan will again field questions about his future should Scotland fall short.
"I think fans, players, anybody who really wants us to do well, will be wishing us luck and dealing with anything after the game," he added.
"Everyone who wants to see us go to the World Cup will be backing us to win this game.
"The most important thing is three points and enjoying the build-up, which we will be doing.
"The best part of my job is coaching and I am looking forward to that and then looking forward to the challenge of the game."

Ministers want all pupils in England to study maths, English, science, one of history or geography and a modern language at GCSE.
But some young people "will find it a problem" Sir Michael Wilshaw, told the Times Educational Supplement (TES).
Sir Michael said vocational subjects would suit some pupils better.
In particular he questioned whether the academic subjects included in the government's Ebacc would be the best thing for pupils who wanted to take apprenticeships when they left school.
"I can think of youngsters, even at the highest-performing schools, who will find it a problem and who would have been better suited to do English, maths and science and a range of vocational subjects," he told the magazine.
In June, the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan confirmed she wants all pupils to have to study the five traditional subjects included in the Ebacc school performance measure.
According to Mrs Morgan the move would ensure all pupils received a rigorous academic education and avoid pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds being put off academic subjects.
In addition, the Conservative manifesto pledges that schools which do not have 100% of pupils studying this set of subjects at GCSE should not be able to obtain Ofsted's top rating of "outstanding".
Both policies will be subject to a government consultation later in the autumn.
Sir Michael told the TES he agreed more young people should be studying these subjects - but said the combination was not suitable for everyone.
The Association of School and College Leaders, which represents secondary heads, welcomed Sir Michael's challenge to government policy.
General Secretary Brian Lightman said the union shared his concerns.
He said a recent survey by the union found almost 90% of school leaders disagreed with making these subjects compulsory for all pupils.
"It is unfair on young people to take a one-size-fits-all approach to their education.
"We are concerned that creative, technology and vocational subjects will be squeezed out of the curriculum."
Mr Lightman said the union would urge ministers to make the choice of GCSE subjects more flexible.
The Department for Education said an additional league table measure, Progress 8, allows pupils to study a wider range of subjects.
"As part of Progress 8, pupils will be able to study up to three of our new gold-standard Tech Awards which will provide a real foundation for progression on to vocational courses including apprenticeships," said a spokesman.
Scotland must beat Slovenia if they are to resurrect their chances of reaching the World Cup finals, Gordon Strachan has acknowledged.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
A key government policy to force all pupils to sit GCSEs in core academic subjects could be difficult for some students, the head of Ofsted has said.