Ibrahimovic, Ferrara and Alisha Lehmann among 2026 Winter Olympic torchbearers

Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic, former Napoli and Juventus defender and ex-Olympian Ciro Ferrara, and Como Women star Alisha Lehmann will be among the torchbearers during the torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. 

The Winter Olympics will take place across Lombardy and Northeastern Italy from February 6 until February 22, 2026. 

The torch relay has already begun, starting its journey in Olympia on November 26. The torch will make nine stops in Greece and will arrive for the handover ceremony in Athens on December 4. Tennis star Jasmine Paolini will be among those involved in the Athens leg of the relay. 

The Italian leg of the torch relay will begin in Rome on December 6, and will travel through 60 different cities and towns before arriving in Milan on February 5. 

According to TMW, among the stars that will be involved in the Italian leg of the relay is Ibrahimovic, who is currently a senior advisor to Milan owners RedBird and owner Gerry Cardinale. 

Ferrara, who won seven Serie A titles, a Champions League and a UEFA Cup during his career with Napoli and Juventus, is also among the football legends who will be involved. He was also a member of the Italy squad that finished fourth place at the 1988 Olympics in South Korea.

Andrea Soncin, head coach of the Italy Women’s national team, will also be involved, as will Alisha Lehmann of Como Women. 

The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be held at the Giuseppe Meazza, regular home of Inter and Milan, on February 6. Milan had been due to host Como in Serie A on that date, and are now expected to play that game in Perth, Australia instead.