Hand‑painted beaver statues that represented each FIFA World Cup nation are now being offered for sale at an auction in Toronto’s Old Town neighbourhood. The whimsical figures, which were installed across the eastern downtown area to greet visitors during the tournament, will be available to bidders on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
The sculptures, each painted to reflect a different national team, were part of a citywide display that turned the historic Old Town district into a lively welcome corridor for fans arriving for the competition. By using Canada’s iconic beaver as a canvas, organizers blended national symbolism with the global spirit of the World Cup, creating a series of eye‑catching pieces that quickly became a backdrop for photographs and social‑media posts.
Now, as the tournament draws to a close, the temporary installations are being removed and placed in the hands of collectors. The upcoming auction will take place within the same neighbourhood where the statues were first positioned, allowing local residents and visitors alike to bid on a tangible reminder of the city’s celebration of the sport. No details about the auction house or reserve prices have been disclosed, but the event is scheduled for the afternoon of Aug. 17, offering a limited window for interested parties.
The beaver figures have served both as a public art project and a promotional tool, drawing attention to Old Town’s historic streets while highlighting Toronto’s role as a host city. Their removal marks the end of a short‑lived but memorable installation that linked Canada’s national animal with the colors and emblems of nations from around the world. Collectors who acquire the pieces will own a piece of the city’s World Cup heritage, preserving the creative spirit that animated the neighbourhood during the tournament.
The auction represents the final chapter for the beaver statues, transitioning them from public display to private ownership as Toronto moves beyond the excitement of the FIFA World Cup.