The reigning European champions could not top their World Cup qualifying group, leaving them having to beat North Macedonia in the playoffs semi-final on Thursday to keep their hopes alive.
Italy would then have to bypass either Turkey or Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the final to secure their spot at Qatar 2022, which means one of the previous two European Championship winners will not be present at the World Cup.
Robert Mancini's reinvigorated Azzurri responded to failure to qualify for FIFA's showpiece event in 2018 by lifting the delayed Euro 2020, and Cannavaro explained that it is vitally that they find a way through this year.
"Between us and qualifying for Qatar there could be Portugal, but also Turkey would not be a walk in the park," Cannavaro, who won the World Cup in 2006, told Italian newspaper Il Mattino.
"And even before that in Palermo, we must beat [North] Macedonia. We threw away a chance in Rome against Switzerland [in the group stages], there is no way we can not qualify for the World Cup for eight years.
"It would be a disaster for everyone. Mancini will find the resources to be able to qualify."
While Italy push for World Cup qualification, Russia will not be featuring in Qatar after FIFA excluded them due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, a decision Cannavaro supports.
When asked if FIFA had made the right call, he added: "Yes. Football is not a world apart. It had to give a signal and it did."
Deschamps deployed the star trio together for the seventh straight game but lacked genuine attacking cohesion as Les Bleus drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Strasbourg.
The France boss has persisted with the trio since Benzema's return to the national team fold, yet Les Bleus are winless in their past four games.
Griezmann equalised in the 39th minute after Edin Dzeko's opener but France were forced to play for most of the second half with 10 men after Jules Kounde's red card.
Mbappe crashed his only shot for the game off the near post in the 27th minute, while Griezmann's goal came with fortune after Dzeko headed a corner into his back and over the line.
Benzema's only shot on target was a tame deflected effort that was easily held by Bosnia goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic.
"There were good things, there were sequences and individual actions," Deschamps said after the game.
"The opponents make sure to bring in a lot of people, to reduce spaces. We created chances in the first half. There are situations that could have been better handled as well.
"The room for improvement in offensive efficiency is significant, particularly with the individual quality of these three players.
"I have others on the bench. I have made changes to boost this area."
Real Madrid target Mbappe was replaced in second-half stoppage time by Moussa Diaby with RMC reporting a calf issue, although the severity is unknown at this stage.
The world champions remain top of Group D in World Cup qualifying with eight points from four games despite the draw, with second-placed Ukraine drawing 2-2 in Kazakhstan.
"We knew that [result] before and it proves that the qualifying phases are complicated," Deschamps said.
"I will not hide that we must be satisfied with this draw even if it was not what we had planned. Considering the scenario, it was complicated when we were reduced to 10.
"We have one more point and there are others to pick up on Saturday in Kiev. It happens very quickly. I have no regrets in the sense that the intentions were there."
Les Bleus return to action on Saturday away to Ukraine in Kiev, before a third qualifier in the break against Finland.
Les Bleus were well off the pace during the opening 45 minutes in Sarajevo, but the 2018 world champions ultimately sealed all three points thanks to Antoine Griezmann in the 60th minute.
The Barcelona forward met Adrien Rabiot's left-wing cross with a superb header that brought up his 35th international goal.
An eighth consecutive away win - the longest winning streak on the road in their history - moved them four points clear of second-placed Ukraine at the summit of Group D.
While accepting his side's first-half performance was not good enough, Deschamps was largely pleased with how his players battled through a third game in eight days.
"Our first-half display is below what we are capable of doing," he told M6.
"It was better in the second half. It is not easy. All matches are complicated. There are things that I have seen us do that I haven't seen in a while. The main thing is victory.
"We did more in the second half even if I take the opponent into account as well. I found that the start was quite difficult. I don't want to find excuses for the players. I am very demanding with them, even if the trips and the time differences are difficult.
"The three matches we will have in September will be against our three direct opponents. Nothing is done but we have put ourselves in the best place with seven points from three games."
Hugo Lloris, whose 123rd appearance moved him level with Thierry Henry as France's second-most capped player, attributed their ability to grind out a result to their robust mentality.
"It was a bit laborious, especially in the first half," the Tottenham goalkeeper said.
"We struggled with the use of the ball especially. They put us in danger on the counter-attacks and on the set pieces with the quality of [Miralem] Pjanic. But the state of mind is remarkable. Honestly, we played badly today, but we won with the state of mind.
"It's something you can build on. This is not the first time, but we must continue to move forward, to improve because there are important deadlines in June and July. After Antoine's goal, we managed the result.
"We could have scored a second goal, but we got the win and we are moving forward."
Benzema's deflected 66th-minute effort and a sublime individual goal from Mbappe, who had teed up the Real Madrid star for the opener, 10 minutes later ensured victory for Les Bleus in Helsinki.
The result denied Finland a place in the play-offs as Ukraine finished second in Group D. France, meanwhile, end qualifying unbeaten and are undefeated in their past 27 competitive matches, though that run includes the stunning Euro 2020 shoot-out loss to Switzerland, a streak that stretches back to June 2019.
"We must not forget Antoine Griezmann," Deschamps said afterward when asked about Benzema and Mbappe.
"It looks easy because the two players are technically complementary.
"They will have a lot of club matches between now and our next meetings. But the combination of all these talents allows the France team to be even more efficient."
Asked about the unbeaten run, he replied: "These are numbers. There are also 13 away matches. This shows the strength of this France team. The quality is there with the addition of new players, young or old.
"It's great to end the calendar year with this victory in Finland."
Reflecting on the year, Deschamps said: "It is a positive result if I rule out 10 minutes of fatal loss of the Euro.
"We win the Nations League and then we qualify without trembling for the World Cup.
"We end the calendar year undefeated even if the draw against Switzerland is a defeat despite everything. The France team has shown that it remains competitive.
"There are still improvements and things that could be improved."
Gareth Southgate's men, who had begun a new World Cup qualifying campaign with wins over San Marino and Albania, just about did enough against a Poland side without the injured Robert Lewandowski.
The Three Lions were good value for their lead amid a commanding first-half display, Harry Kane becoming England's all-time leading penalty scorer on 10 as he converted after fine play by Raheem Sterling.
Stones gifted Poland a chance that Jakub Moder capitalised on in the 58th minute, though he played an important role as Maguire's goal maintain England's unblemished start in Group I.
England played the ball around with swagger during the early exchanges and almost opened the scoring in the eighth minute, only for Phil Foden to head Ben Chilwell's cross over after Mason Mount carved the Poland defence open.
Nevertheless, England did not have to wait much longer to take the lead, Kane confidently dispatching a penalty having seen the lively Sterling clumsily tripped by Michal Helik.
Kane was then denied a second just past the half-hour mark, latching on to Foden's clever first-time offload and forcing Wojciech Szczesny into an applaudable save down to his right from 20 yards.
But England were pegged back before the hour, Stones – who had put England in trouble a few minutes earlier only to be bailed out by Nick Pope – was robbed just outside his own penalty and Moder applied an emphatic finish after being fed by substitute Arkadiusz Milik.
England's response was meek, the home side's urgency showing little sign of improvement as the seconds ticked away – Foden's weak right-footed shot in the 69th minute causing Szczesny no bother.
There was to be a final hurrah for the hosts, however, as Stones made up for his earlier blunder by heading a corner delivery back into the danger zone and Maguire smashed past the helpless Szczesny to seal the points.
The world governing body published its new list on Thursday and the only change in the top five saw England jump to third, nudging France down to fourth.
England were runners-up to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, losing on penalties at Wembley after a 1-1 draw, and two wins and a draw from World Cup qualifiers in September have seen Gareth Southgate's team edge ahead of Les Bleus.
It is the first time since 2012 that England have reached the top three, and third place remains the highest position they have achieved in the rankings.
Didier Deschamps' France could only manage two draws and a win in this month's international break, while Italy were held by Bulgaria and Switzerland before landing a 5-0 victory over Lithuania.
Italy have been a roaring success under the leadership of Roberto Mancini, who inherited a team that failed to qualify for the last World Cup and had plummeted to 21st in FIFA's rankings.
They set the record for the most games unbeaten at international level during their run of September games, staying in control as leaders of World Cup European qualifying Group C.
With FIFA's rankings offering significant weighting to World Cup tournament performance, Italy could make a significant leap should their strong form under coach Mancini continue into the Qatar 2022 finals.
Belgium remain top of the FIFA list, with Brazil in second. Copa America winners Argentina stay sixth.
Local police had informed the Albanian Football Association (AFA) that they could not guarantee the safety of the two sides for the Group I encounter at the Air Albania Stadium.
The AFA had asked for a restricted number of fans who have received a coronavirus vaccinations to be allowed into the venue, but the government refused that request.
With police having been unable to offer assurances over the safety of players outside the ground, with no lockdown restrictions in place, the AFA was concerned the fixture may have to be cancelled.
However, police released a statement later on Thursday confirming the game could ahead, saying they had "taken all measures to guarantee order and security".
With France's place at Qatar 2022 already secured, attention in the group was firmly on the battle for a place in the play-offs between Finland and Ukraine.
Finland began the night in the box seat, two points ahead of Ukraine, but the situation was turned on its head in the second half.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Artem Dovbyk secured a 2-0 win for Ukraine over Bosnia-Herzegovina while Karim Benzema's deflected strike and a superb individual effort from Kylian Mbappe saw the reigning world champions claim maximum points as Finland fell at the final hurdle.
A long-range Mbappe effort was the most threatening chance France could muster in a first half where both sides had just one shot on target.
France were forced to withdraw Leo Dubois after he was injured late in the opening period, with Benjamin Pavard filling in at right-back after the break.
The change had no impact on France's control of the game, with Les Bleus' backline rarely tested, and it was the visitors who eventually found a way through in somewhat fortuitous fashion in the 66th minute
Benzema and Mbappe played a neat one-two and the Real Madrid forward's effort nicked off Leo Vaisanen and beyond Lukas Hradecky.
Finland's goalkeeper was beaten in more convincing fashion 10 minutes later, Mbappe burning Vaisanen for pace down the left and bending an unerring finish into the bottom-right corner.
Hradecky's brilliant save denied Mbappe a second, with the Paris Saint-Germain star's second-half performance illustrating the gulf in class that made sure Finland will watch next year's World Cup from home.
Timo Werner and Leroy Sane sealed a routine 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in World Cup qualifying Group J on Thursday, though the scoreline hardly reflected Germany's dominance.
After a trophy laden spell at Bayern, Flick left the Bavarian giants to take over as Germany boss, with Joachim Low leaving after Euro 2020.
Flick's team had 30 attempts in total, with seven hitting the target, and controlled 85.3 per cent of the possession.
Not one Liechtenstein player spent more time in Germany's half than their own, while all of the visitors' outfielders had average positions within the minnows' territory.
It nevertheless took some inspiration from youngster Jamal Musiala to unlock the door in the 41st minute, as he teed up Werner, before Sane capped an impressive individual display with a crisp finish late on.
"It took us too long to get our first goal, but it's a process," Flick told RTL. "I won't let this first game ruffle my feathers, there's a long road ahead and we will make our way down it.
"I told the team before the match that Liechtenstein know how to defend well. We created chances, but our opponent defended really well, with 11 players in their area.
"I can't fault the team at all, they tried, they put the opponent under pressure, but in the end we did not take our chances enough.
"But I'm positive, we won, and on Sunday we continue against Armenia. We have a long way to go, this was the start and we know where we want to go."
As well as handing Musiala – who he coached at Bayern – a first international start, Flick also introduced teenager Florian Wirtz for his Germany debut, the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder becoming the third-youngest player to appear for the national team since 1945.
While Flick blooded fresh faces, including full-back Ridle Baku, he also turned to the experienced Marco Reus, with Borussia Dortmund's captain recalled after opting out of Euro 2020.
"Our opponents were more or less parked in front of their own goal, so it was very hard to get through," said Reus, who came on as a second-half substitute.
"Our final pass wasn't quite there today, but we can take the three points and go again on Sunday."
Flick's second game in charge sees Germany host Group J leaders Armenia in Stuttgart.
The 2014 world champions are searching for a new coach to succeed Joachim Low, who will leave his role after the Euro 2020 finals later this year.
Flick, Low's former assistant, was predictably mooted as a potential replacement having enjoyed great success as Bayern boss.
The Bavarian giants won the treble last season and have already added the Club World Cup title in 2020-21, while defences of their Bundesliga and Champions League crowns remain on track.
Flick, who turned Bayern's fortunes around, is under contract until 2023, although club CEO Rummenigge will depart at the end of the year.
That will not spell the end of Flick's tenure, though, Rummenigge insisted last week, saying: "We are well advised to finish what we have agreed in the contract."
But this does not clash with Germany's plans either, as Bierhoff says the new man will not be poached from another job. Ralf Rangnick, who turned down a role at Schalke, has been linked.
"Nothing has changed for us," the team director said on Monday. "We always said we won't approach a coach who is currently under contract.
"I interpreted it in the way that [Rummenigge] wanted to back Hansi Flick and he did. That is the right thing to do as CEO of a club."
Bierhoff was facing the media at the start of the first international break of 2021, with the clock now ticking on Germany's recruitment process.
"We don't have limitless time, but we are not under pressure either," he said. "We have to appoint a new coach for the time after the Euros. We are going to take our time.
"The DFB delegation will be in the team hotel in the coming days. President Fritz Keller, Peter Peters, Rainer Koch and Friedrich Curtius will be there and we will discuss the situation.
"Obviously we will analyse, discuss and have long talks, and then we'll see."
The Milan striker was recalled by Janne Andersson for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo and Georgia, plus the friendly with Estonia, paving the way for him to potentially play at Euro 2020.
He celebrated his first call-up in nearly five years by posting a picture on Twitter of himself in a Sweden shirt with the caption: "The return of the God."
Ibrahimovic, who turns 40 in October, is Sweden's all-time leading scorer with 62 international goals, the last of those coming against Denmark in November 2015.
Speaking at a media conference on Monday, an emotional Ibrahimovic revealed the difficulty of leaving his family to join up with the national team.
"I had Vincent [his son] here, who was actually crying when I left him. But it's okay...," he said, before breaking off in tears.
"This takes time away from my family and it's not an easy thing. If you have two kids crying every time you leave them, it's a bit hard. I'm human, even though I'm Superman.
"They are very proud."
Ibrahimovic has impressed in Serie A this term with 15 goals in as many matches, and the ex-Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain striker believes he can still make an impact on the international stage.
"I'm just a piece of the puzzle, among many pieces. I'm here to do better, if Janne thinks I can,” he added.
"If you ask me, I'm the best in the world, but that doesn't help me much here. I've promised to decide matches, so now it's up to me!
"I'm just glad I'm here. I'm proud, I'm not demanding anything and I want nothing. I just want to contribute what I can. If Janne felt I cannot contribute or do what I have to do, then we wouldn't be here.
"As of today, I want to keep going as long as I can. I don't want to regret anything when I stop. That thought came into my head after the injury [in 2017].
"You should continue as long as you can with what you love. Football is what I want to do; that's what I love.
"I am who I am. But I'm not here to have my own show."
Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, following weeks of rising political tensions in the region. The conflict escalated further on Friday, with the fighting reaching the capital city of Kyiv.
Sportspeople, teams and organisations around the globe have joined in the condemnation of Russia's attack.
On Friday, Bayern Munich – Lewandowski's club side – lit their stadium up in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, with coach Julian Nagelsmann expressing his shock at the invasion.
"Everything beautiful in sport is against what war brings," Lewandowski posted to his official social media channels.
"For all people who value freedom and peace, this is a time of solidarity with the victims of military aggression in Ukraine."
On Thursday, the Polish football association, along with their counterparts from Sweden and the Czech Republic, requested that Russia be barred from hosting any upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The four nations are in the same play-off pathway for Qatar 2022.
Russia had been set to host Poland in March, but on Friday, UEFA confirmed any international matches due to be held in Russia or Ukraine would have to be moved to a neutral venue, as well as confirming St Petersburg had been stripped of holding this season's Champions League final.
Lewandowski, who is Poland's captain, went on to explain that he will hold discussions with his team-mates as to whether they wish to face Russia.
"As the captain of the national team, I will talk to my colleagues from the team about the match with Russia in order to work out a common position on this matter and present it to the president of the Polish Football Association as soon as possible," the statement finished.
With main rivals Switzerland not in action on Wednesday, Roberto Mancini's side capitalised to take a three-point lead at the top of Group C.
Sensi's 47th-minute effort put them ahead, with Immobile, who had squandered several gilt-edged chances, scoring a penalty with the final kick of the game.
Immobile's previous profligacy would have proved costly if not for Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy's goalkeeper producing a fantastic save from Tautvydas Eliosius to set the stage for the Lazio forward to make amends from the spot late on.
Musiala has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Bayern Munich and last month the 18-year-old attacking midfielder pledged his allegiance to Germany, having also represented England at youth level.
Having become the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history when he netted for Bayer Leverkusen in June last year, Wirtz has scored seven times in 30 appearances across all competitions this season.
His participation in Germany's games against Iceland, Romania and North Macedonia will depend upon him recovering from a positive coronavirus test at the start of this month, but Low is keen to involve both highly rated youngsters.
"I think it is safe to say already that both players are in our plans," he told ntv.
"[It will be] good that I can see them for a few days with us, [to see how] they appear in our group."
Low will step down after Euro 2020 after 15 years at the helm.
The 2014 World Cup winner believes the overhaul of Germany's football system – ultimately leading an environment for the likes of Wirtz and Musiala to develop and thrive in – is the achievement he will look back upon most fondly.
"The greatest achievement was the development over the entire period," he said.
"Our football had technical and tactical problems. We've gotten a lot better when it comes to football culture and play, and that makes me very happy."
Wirtz and Musiala's addition could bolster a Germany squad without Premier League stars such as Ilkay Gundogan, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
Quarantine requirements for travellers from the United Kingdom to Germany could hinder the capacity for players from England's top-flight to play a full part in the international break.
Regulations in Romania, where Germany have an away game, are more lenient, but Low said naming a different squad for different games "is not the solution we want".
Eljif Elmas scored late on in Duisburg - Ilkay Gundogan having earlier cancelled out Goran Pandev's opener from the penalty spot - to inflict a first World Cup qualifying defeat on Germany since September 2001 - a run spanning 35 matches.
The defeat leaves Die Mannschaft third in Group J, level on points with North Macedonia and three points behind pacesetters Armenia, who have won all three matches so far.
Speaking to RTL after the game, Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness suggested Low - who has announced he will end his tenure as head coach after Euro 2020 - should bring Muller and Hummels back into the national team.
The duo, as well as Bayern defender Jerome Boateng, have not played for their country since November 2018, but Low recently hinted each player remains in his plans for this year's tournament.
"Hummels is a player with strong aerial ability and someone who has a lot of experience," Hoeness said. "He can definitely give this team something.
"Muller also definitely belongs in the squad. He's always good for goals and can help any team in the world in certain situations."
But when asked again about those absent players after the North Macedonia game, Low told RTL: "This question cannot be answered now. The decision will be made in May. It is something to think about in the next few days and weeks."
The defeat for Germany was just their third ever in World Cup qualifying and leaves them with work to do when they resume their campaign in September.
There may well have been a different outcome on Wednesday had Timo Werner made more of a glorious chance that fell his way five minutes before Elmas' winner, the substitute forward dragging wide in a one-on-on opportunity.
"He has to score that, no question about it," Low said of Werner's late miss, coming from the Chelsea attacker's only touch of the ball in the opposition penalty area.
"He doesn't hit the ball properly, otherwise it's a goal. Timo blames himself the most. That was a bad moment in a period in which we were on top in the game."
Low had previously criticised his players for their profligacy in the 1-0 win over Romania on Sunday, which followed on from a 3-0 victory at home to Iceland.
Germany had 11 shots against North Macedonia but tested visiting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski with just two of those, with Serge Gnabry - the match-winner against Romania last time out - wasting two chances of his own in the first half.
"There is no magic formula," Low said. "You can train all you want, but it is difference in a competitive match. We were too hesitant to finish.
"We weren't consistent. With the score at 1-1, Timo had that huge chance. We have to look back at the chances and talk about it."
Gundogan had drawn Germany on level terms but his side were caught out at the back for a second time for the winning goal.
"The fact is, that should not be happening," Gundogan said. "It felt like they were in front of our goal twice and scored twice - it was too easy for them.
"We had many chances and only scored one goal. We didn't defend well with either goal - twice they had a man in the middle completely free.
"I leave with a bad feeling. It hurts all the more that we won't play again for three months. We have to get in top form by the end of May and prepare for the Euros."
Top spot in Group C will be decided in the final round of games after Jorginho missed a late penalty for Euro 2020 winners Italy in Rome on Friday.
Italy fell behind to a powerful Silvan Widmer strike after 11 minutes but hit back through fellow right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo's header before half-time.
The Azzurri – who failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia three years ago – had a glorious chance to seize control on the road to Qatar 2022, however, Jorginho skied his 90th-minute spot-kick over the crossbar.
Automatic qualification is in the balance, though Italy have a slightly better goal difference, so they only need to match Switzerland's final-game result to finish top of the pool and condemn Murat Yakin's men to the play-offs in March and head coach Mancini remains confident.
"They are sorry, it's normal," Mancini told reporters, with Italy to visit Northern Ireland on Monday as Switzerland host Bulgaria.
"And then a penalty like that in the 90th minute, it's clear that they are sorry but nothing can be done now. We will get to the World Cup, I'm sure."
Italy boss Mancini added: "It's complicated but we are two goals ahead. We have to go there, try to play our game and win and hope that Bulgaria will have a great game.
"We have to play our game and win, this is our task. Right now, we must recover our energy, it was a very tough game. We need to be confident, even when things don't seem to go well, they can change.
"The team always try to do their best, in some moments of the season the players struggle more and the many injuries are a demonstration of this.
"Two goals are two goals; they seem like nothing but they are two goals… and then who says that Bulgaria cannot get a positive result? We are slightly ahead, now we are thinking about winning in Northern Ireland."
Italy made it three wins from three to start their World Cup 2022 qualification campaign by seeing off Lithuania by the now familiar scoreline of 2-0.
Goals from Stefano Sensi and Ciro Immobile bookended the second half on Wednesday, as Italy took a three-point lead in Group C.
The Azzurri have won their last five matches 2-0, and are unbeaten in 25 games under Mancini, which brings him level with Marcelo Lippi's best haul – only Vittorio Pozzo (30) has managed a better such streak.
Lippi guided Italy to a 2006 World Cup success, and Mancini did not shy away from wanting to emulate one of his predecessors.
"I'm happy we are top of the group, it's pleasing, but records are standalone issues compared to real results," he told reporters.
"I hope to match Lippi at the World Cup, maybe in December 2022."
With three qualifying wins under their belt, Italy's focus will now switch to the upcoming Euros, rearranged from last year.
Mancini picked a 38-man squad for this latest round of internationals, and suggested it would be prudent for UEFA to accommodate larger squads than the usual 23 at this year's tournament.
"I think it could be a good idea to be able to name bigger squads for Euro 2020," Mancini said.
"I think it could be the right thing to do. The problem would above all be if a couple of players had problems in the tournament, as it's difficult to call them back after that, when players are on vacation."
Italy recorded 29 shots against Lithuania, with 11 of them on target – the excellent Tomas Svedkauskas pulling off nine saves.
Immobile, who scored from the spot with the last kick of the game, was particularly wasteful, sending a close-range header wide after seeing two efforts saved by Svedkauskas.
The 31-year-old Lazio forward has scored eight goals in World Cup qualifiers, the joint-third most in Italy's history – along with Daniele De Rossi – and Mancini believes fatigue played a big part in Immobile's profligate display.
"Ciro gave everything he could today," Mancini added. "The players aren't in the best shape right now, they are lacking sharpness, but the goals will come more consistently for him."
The Bayern Munich attacker is the highest-capped player in the squad, moving clear of Jurgen Klinsmann as the sixth-most capped player in Germany's history with his 109th appearance last time out against Liechtenstein, scoring twice in the 9-0 win.
Muller has worn the armband for Germany on a handful of occasions previously, but this would be the first time under new boss Flick, who believes the 32-year-old's presence on and off the field make him fully deserving of the honour.
"Thomas isn't someone to push himself into the spotlight; he prefers to support the team and fire the lads up," Flick said ahead of the game against Armenia. "He is also incredibly important off the pitch because he pushes the group again and again.
"He's a really important player for us, and he'll captain the side against Armenia. I'm happy to have him as a player because he's very, very valuable."
Regular captain Manuel Neuer is rested and therefore does not travel with the squad, missing out alongside Marco Reus, injured pair Leon Goretzka and Julian Draxler and the suspended Antonio Rudiger.
As a result, Muller is given the chance to captain the side, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen has the opportunity to feature between the sticks as Germany look to end their World Cup qualifying campaign strongly, having won eight of their nine games so far to sit nine points clear at the top of Group J.
"Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kai Havertz will both start the match," Flick continued. "We have already shown in the last few games what quality and mentality the team has.
"Armenia are very strong on the counter-attack, so we'll need to be very alert in defence. Our aim is to end this year with a win, of course."
Defender Christian Gunter is also relishing the chance to stake his claim for a spot in Flick's final World Cup squad next year.
"For me, it's about putting in a good performance for the team," Gunter said. "I'm part of a real competition for places and I want to give Hansi a tough decision when he comes to name his national team squad."
Van Gaal suffered a hip injury after falling off his bicycle on Sunday and oversaw Monday's training session from a golf buggy ahead of the Netherlands' crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway.
The Netherlands require at least a draw from their Group G decider on Tuesday to clinch a berth at Qatar 2022.
Van Gaal, who will be able to coach his nation when the Netherlands and Norway clash in Rotterdam, was keen to stress his brain remains intact following the incident.
"Physically, I'm bad. But my brain still works," former Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss Van Gaal told reporters via video link.
Asked if it hurt a lot, Van Gaal replied: "Yes, a lot. That's why I'm in a wheelchair. That's why I led the training session from my buggy.
"Look, it's the lesser trochanter, that’s a bone, and that's broken. And the iliopsoas, that’s a muscle, is attached to that. That's a stabilising muscle. I hope you can all understand what I'm saying.
"I had to learn about every single bone in the human body when I used to study for gymnastics teacher. That comes in handy now."
"I can do everything, because my brain works. There are things I can use, such as that buggy and my wheelchair. I look stupid, I know that too," the 70-year-old added. "But coaching is verbal, and you use your brain to do so. And the presentation has to convince the squad."
Netherlands star Virgil van Dijk added: "It's just sad and unfortunate for him. He now has to recover the next weeks.
"It's a physical thing, luckily it's not mental. He is still focused on reaching the World Cup, like we all are."
The Netherlands missed the chance to seal qualification for the 2022 World Cup as Montenegro produced a late comeback to snatch a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
Memphis Depay had Group G leaders the Netherlands on track before Montenegro overturned the two-goal deficit.
The Netherlands will now look to clinch against a Norway side missing injured superstar Erling Haaland.
Van Gaal acknowledged Haaland's absence changes the dynamic of the fixture.
"Haaland has the quality to always show up behind a defence," Van Gaal said. "He also did so in their home game against us, three of four times. That were also their only chances.
"Now, they'll have to find another solution. At least, that's what they'll be trying to do. But Haaland has specific qualities that they'll miss now. We can, in principal, play a bit further from our own goal now too."
Turkey's 2-1 win against Montenegro kept the pressure on the Netherlands, but they still needed only a point to secure their qualification and got more than that in the closing stages at De Kuip.
Bergwijn netted with six minutes left when he fired high into the net before Depay put the result beyond doubt with a goal on the break in injury time.
While the Oranje finished as Group G winners, Norway slipped to third and missed out on a place in the play-offs having failed to register a shot on target across the entire contest.
