FIFA has insisted that no decision has been made over moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from the summer following comments made by secretary general Jerome Valcke.
Valcke claimed on Wednesday that the tournament would likely be played in the winter months amid concerns over the excessive heat of a Qatari summer.
However, world football's governing body has moved quickly to play down Valcke's comments.
"The precise event date is still subject to an ongoing consultation process which involves all main event stakeholders, including both the international football community (FIFA confederations, member associations, leagues, clubs, players) as well as FIFA's commercial partners," read an official statement.
"As the event will not be played until eight years' time the consultation process will not be rushed and will be given the necessary time to consider all of the elements relevant for a decision.
"No decision will be taken before the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil as agreed by the FIFA executive committee."
FIFA vice president Jim Boyce had earlier admitted that he was "shocked" by the timing of Valcke's comments.
Jack Prescott
