Fifa has announced England's 3-0 friendly win against Trinidad & Tobago will stand, despite a mistake over the number of substitutions used.
England made one more than the maximum allowed six changes, claiming they had received special dispensation to do so.
Fifa insists that is not the case but says it was a mistake by the referee and will not downgrade the status of the match from an A international.
That means four England debutants will be able to keep their first caps.
Dean Ashton, Joe Hart, Phil Jagielka and Stephen Warnock all made their first appearances for England.
A Fifa statement read: "Fifa can confirm it did not give special dispensation to make up to seven substitutions at the Trinidad & Tobago v England friendly match played on Sunday 1 June 2008.
"The referee of this match confirmed to Fifa that he received no instruction to allow for such a special dispensation, but that it had been a mistake by the referee.
"As Fifa has received no official protest regarding this match, it shall be considered as an official match."
West Ham striker Ashton started the match, while Manchester City goalkeeper Hart, Everton defender Jagielka and Blackburn left-back Warnock came off the bench in the second half.
England boss Fabio Capello made four changes at half-time, and three more later in the second half.
It was thought Fifa was unhappy and considering whether to downgrade the match as a result.
However, the FA had been under the impression such a decision had been agreed - and it is believed it had originally asked to make 11 changes.
An FA spokesman said: "The fact of the matter is the opportunity to use seven substitutes was cleared in advance of the game by Fifa, Trinidad & Tobago representative Jack Warner, the Fifa delegate for the game and the match referee.
"Trinidad had the same option to use seven subs. There is no way we would have gone ahead with using seven subs without the approval that we were given."
Had Fifa ruled the match should not be counted as a full international, it would also have robbed Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry of his first goal for his country.
England would also have slipped back down the Fifa world rankings, having moved up two places and regained a place in the top 10 after the victory.
And David Beckham, who was Capello's surprise choice to captain the side, would have moved back to having led his country on 58 occasions.
The hosts made six changes in the match, which was played in part to celebrate the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's centenary
