Rather than spruiking the apparent success of the FFA's World Cup bid team's trip to South Africa last week, FFA CEO Ben Buckley arrived back in the country and was immediately on the back foot over comments by Demetriou suggesting an entire AFL season could be shutdown due to the World Cup.

"The World Cup starts ... in June and there's four or five weeks of securitising it, putting signage up," Demetriou said.

"They would commence work in late March or early April, and that would probably mean we'd just have to cancel the season because that would mean we wouldn't have the MCG for 16 weeks.

"We could probably do without it for 10 weeks and we'd have to play at Etihad Stadium. But we couldn't do it (for 16 weeks).

"We'd have to cancel the season."

His comments caused headlines and cast a shadow over what should've been a good news day for the FFA and its World Cup bid team.

"You can't just move the season to January: it's out of the (television) ratings period, you've got cricket, it's hot, it just doesn't work," the controversial Demetriou added.

"We've even toyed with the possibility of suspending the season for four weeks because that's what we originally thought was going to happen.

"And that could work. It's not easy, but it could work.

"We're trying to find ways to accommodate (Football Federation Australia) ... but we haven't had much come back the other way."

Speaking to select media outside the W-League awards today, FFA CEO Ben Buckley responded to Demetriou's comments by saying a cancelled season has never been part of the dialogue between the two codes' governing bodies.

"We've never asked the AFL to shut down their season," he insisted. "We've only outlined to them the various requirements under the FIFA regulations to host a World Cup

"We've certainly never said to the AFL to shut their whole season."

Buckley explained access to the various venues for a World Cup needed to be for four weeks prior to the event plus the duration of the Cup. This was in order to prepare the surface properly and for stadium overlays required by FIFA.

"And of course if a venue is not being used to host a final or a semi final those venues could come back on line sooner," added Buckley.

Buckley, a former high ranking officer in the AFL, claimed FFA had consulted with the AFL on a number of occasions regarding World Cup issues.

"We certainly understand these are complex issues and we respect the fact that any interruption to any other code, we need to work through those issues and we're sensitive to that," he said. 

"We don't have all the answers in this point in time because we haven't decided what venues we'll use."

According to FIFA requirements, semi finals of World Cups are to be played at minimum 60,000 seat venues. This means the MCG - a popular venue for Aussie Rules - could be in line to be used, although Buckley hinted about  interstate options including Brisbane's Suncorp stadium upgrading beyond its 52,000 capacity.

Buckley said the FFA had met with the AFL in October about issues related to the World Cup.

He added that the World Cup would have significant economic benefits for Australia as well as enhancing our standing in the world community.

"Every country has to work through issues - I don't think over time this will have a negative impact at all," Buckley said on Monday. "I'm confident there is goodwill (among the codes).

"All the other codes understand there are substantial benefits to Australia as a nation to host the World Cup and I'm pretty sure we will work through those issues and come to an agreement.

"The World Cup is bigger than any individual sport. It is the biggest sports event in the world, it has substantial economic impact benefits to Australia and enhances our social standing around the globe."

He added: "We understand these are complex issues and we are sensitive to any interruption to any other code. I understand completely any sports protecting their interests and interests of their stakeholders."

"We don't want to come into town and say we want to take over venues."