THE group-stage matchups have been drawn for the 2015 Copa America, and Brazil will face Colombia and Argentina will play defending champion Uruguay.

    The draw was announced Monday.

    Brazil was drawn against Colombia, Peru and Venezuela in Group C of the South American competition, and Argentina was placed with Uruguay, Paraguay and Jamaica in Group B.

    Next year’s Copa America in Chile will give Brazil the chance to bury the ghosts of its miserable World Cup, the president of the country’s soccer federation said.

    Brazil will be looking to win the trophy after a dismal World Cup at home, which ended when the side was hammered 7-1 by eventual champion Germany in the semifinals.

    “We need to bring joy to the Brazilian people,” Jose Maria Marin said at the draw in the Chilean town of Vina del Mar.

    “As I said before, before the World Cup we were in limbo. We could have reached the sky or fell to hell.

    “We went to hell but we are already leaving it.

    “We are back in limbo again it appears. And winning the Copa America could help us go back on the way towards the sky.”

    Brazil has won all six of their friendlies since the World Cup under new coach Dunga, with the team scoring 14 goals and conceding one.

    Host Chile is in Group A with Mexico, Ecuador and Bolivia.

    Chile, Brazil and Argentina are the seeded teams for the June 11-July 4 tournament.

    The Chileans will be trying to win the Copa America for the first time.

    The 12-nation tournament will be played in eight host cities — Antofagasta, Concepcion, La Serena, Rancagua, Santiago, Temuco, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.

    Mexico and Jamaica received invitations to play in the competition.(SD-Agencies)