Singapore became the first side to win the AFF Championship four times, beating Thailand 3–2 on aggregate in the finals.

[3] On 17 December 2010, the Philippine Football Federation declared their interest to host the 2012 AFF Championship.

[4][5] However, with no other reported interest and following the meeting of the AFF Council on 19 February 2011, Malaysia and Thailand were announced as hosts of the group stage.

[9] If Thailand reached the semifinals and finals, their home games were played at the Supachalasai Stadium as the Rajamangala was hosting the 2012 Race of Champions.

[12] Malaysia (co-host) Thailand (co-host) Vietnam Indonesia Singapore Philippines Qualification winner –  Myanmar Qualification runner-up –  Laos Ranking in each group shall be determine as follows:[13] If two or more teams are equal on the basis on the above three criteria, the place shall be determined as follows: However, these criteria would not apply if two teams tied on points, goals scored, and conceded played against each other in their final group match, are still level at the end of that match, and no other team in group finishes with same points; in that case, the tie would be broken by a penalty shootout.