Football Federation Australia is at risk of fracturing the relationship with one of its key commercial partners, with the NSW government angered over plans to stage the biggest home World Cup Qualifier in Melbourne.

The FFA is in the latter stages of planning the venues for Australia's road to Russia but a proposal to play the home match against Japan at the MCG has caused a rift.

After making a landmark contribution to football by signing a five-year partnership with the FFA to host 11 international games, Fairfax Media understands Destination NSW will be fuming if the most high-profile of the five qualifiers is held away from Sydney.

As part of that agreement, Sydney will receive at least one Socceroos match per year including four World Cup qualifiers to be determined by the FFA.