Wheat crops are commonly affected by the dryland root rot complex (DLRRC) under dry and semiarid conditions. This complex is associated with seedling blight, and rotting of roots, crowns and stems of wheat plants. Several pathogens are associated with this complex, but Fusarium crown rot disease (FCR) is the most common and is of worldwide importance. Increased drought frequency and changes in rainfall regimes associated with global climate change may increase the prevalence of this complex of diseases, especially of FCR, in wheat crop areas. This review discusses the characteristics of the pathogen species involved in DLRRC, the known interactions between the pathogens, and information regarding management strategies. We also discuss the possibility that the activity of FCR pathogens could act as a sensor of global climate change