“A dark dawn for Italy,” Crowe said on X in a post written in Italian.
“The day after the failed qualification. Again. How is it possible with so much talent? I feel sick for the nation.”
Sixteen Europeans nations have secured a spot at the World Cup, but 2006 champions Italy won’t be at the showpiece event, missing qualification for the third time in a row.
It’s sparked some debate over whether past World Cup winners, including Italy and Uruguay, should automatically qualify for the World Cup.
The Socceroos are in Group D and will take on Turkey, the USA and Paraguay in their group stage games.
Aussie sparks wild scenes in 40-year first
Australian coach Graham Arnold will be back at the FIFA World Cup after Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify with a nerve-shredding 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico on Wednesday.
Iraq, whose preparations were disrupted by the war in the Middle East, sealed their first appearance at the finals in 40 years and will play in Group I against France, Senegal and Norway.
Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured a famous win for Iraq, whose last appearance at the World Cup came at Mexico in 1986.
“With everything going on in the Middle East at the moment it made it harder for the players,” said Arnold, who had initially sought to have the fixture postponed due to the disruption caused by the conflict.
“Delighted for the players, very good boys, very happy for the 46 million Iraqis,” he added.
“I’m so happy we’ve made 46 million people happy, especially with what’s going on in the Middle East.”
“Hopefully it will help change the perception of Iraq and the football in Iraq. Doing something in the World Cup nobody expects us to do. Let’s shock the world.”
Because of travel disruption caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, most of the Iraqi squad only reached Mexico after a gruelling three-day journey from Baghdad that began with an overland crossing into Jordan.
But there was little sign of weariness during a confident start by Iraq, who took the lead after nine minutes through Luton Town striker Al-Hamadi — the 24-year-old who moved to Liverpool as a toddler following the outbreak of the 2003 Iraq war.
From a set piece Amir Al-Ammari curled a pinpoint corner on to the head of Al-Hamadi who nodded home for 1-0.
Bolivia pressed frantically for a goal to force extra-time, but Iraq’s well-marshalled defence held firm during nine minutes of stoppage time.
There were jubilant scenes as Arnold celebrated with his players and was hoisted on their shoulders, waving the Iraq flag to he crowd in Monterrey.
The 62-year-old Arnold, who took Australia to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup in 2022, said: “We have two months to get fit.”
FINAL WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy (4-1 on penalties)
Sweden 3-2 Poland
Kosovo 0-1 Turkey
Czech Republic 2-2 Denmark (3-1 on penalties)
DR Congo 1-0 Jamaica (AET)
Iraq 2-1 Bolivia
FINALISED WORLD CUP GROUPS
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
