Along with the two co-hosts, 2008 champions Vietnam, three-time winners Singapore, 2010 runners-up Indonesia and the Philippines have earned wild cards to the final round of the tournament.
Five other Southeast Asian teams, including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Timor Leste and Brunei will compete in a round robin qualifying tournament to decide the best two teams to advance to the finals.
The preliminary round will be held in Myanmar from October 5 to 13 while the group stage will take place in Thailand and Malaysia from November 24 to December 22.
The official draw for the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 will be organised in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday, July 11.
