MONTEVIDEO, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay will step up preparations for the Copa America with friendlies against the Basque Country and Cote d'Ivoire later this month, the South American country's football association said on Friday.

The Celeste will meet the Basque Country in Bilbao on March 23 and Cote d'Ivoire in Lens three days later, the Uruguayan Football Association said on social media.

The fixtures will provide one of the last chances for Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa to test his players before the Copa America, which will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14.

Uruguay has been drawn in Group C alongside the tournament's hosts, Panama and Bolivia.

Bielsa, former boss of Argentina and Chile national teams, has achieved impressive results since taking charge of the Celeste last May.

The two-time FIFA World Cup winners are second in the 10-team South American World Cup qualifying standings with 13 points from six outings, two points behind leaders Argentina. Enditem

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