Singapore will first need to get past Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Philippines in order to realise its hopes of a first SEA Games football title.
The Republic, seeded in Group A as hosts of the biennial Games from June 5-16, was drawn with the four countries during the official team draw ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.
Defending champions Thailand are seeded in Group B, with Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei and Timor Leste.
Former national skipper Aide Iskandar, who will take charge of the Under-23s at the SEA Games, was pleased with the make-up of Singapore's group.
He said: "We are happy with the draw. Group B looks tougher. However, we cannot underestimate any opponent. We'll take it one game at a time, and definitely working very hard."
The team draw was also conducted for volleyball and water polo.
Water polo (men's):
M1: Singapore
M2: Indonesia
M3: Thailand
M4: Philippines
M5: Malaysia
Water polo (women's):
W1: Indonesia
W2: Philippines
W3: Thailand
W4: Malaysia
W5: Singapore
Volleyball (men's):
A1: Thailand
A2: Malaysia
A3: Philippines
A4: Myanmar
B1: Cambodia
B2: Vietnam
B3: Indonesia
B4: Singapore
Volleyball (women's):
A1: Singapore
A2: Thailand
A3: Myanmar
B1: Vietnam
B2: Indonesia
B3: Philippines
B4: Malaysia