England has accidentally been named as an African nation in the official Gold Coast Commonwealth Games opening ceremony program.

The 130-page program lists England as being a country of about 2 million people with the capital in "Banjul".

Banjul is actually the capital city of The Gambia.

England's actual population is about 53 million.

The $10 program is being sold in news agencies and merchandise tents around the Gold Coast ahead of tonight's opening ceremony.

It also includes an official welcome from the Queen, and messages from other dignitaries.

Diane Smith who was born in England, with her Australian husband Brian Smith at Burleigh. ( ABC News: Ashleigh Stevenson )

Gold Coast local Diane Smith, who was born in England, said the blunder was not a good look.

"I think it's appalling," she said.

"If you can't get where England is right it's not good is it?

"Being where the Queen of England lives, it's terrible, really terrible."

Commonwealth Games Corporation CEO Mark Peters said the printing error occurred because The Gambia was a late addition to the Commonwealth Games.

"There was an overprint. We found out about it maybe 10 days ago," he said.

"We went and spoke to England and said 'Congratulations, the Commonwealth's changing and it has since Brexit, and part of you is now part of Africa'," he said.

"Sometimes you make mistakes and we cop it."

The program is being sold all over the Gold Coast. ( ABC News )

Mr Peters said the English team "implored" organisers not to pulp the programs and do a complete re-print.

Instead, he said a re-print of 500 would take place so programs with the correct information could be given to the English team and Commonwealth Games Federation.

Ghana's female hockey captain Nafisatu Umaru said she "humbly" welcomed England as an African nation, drawing laughter from a press briefing on the Gold Coast.

"England has made a big impact for us and England is part of our success story," she said.

Umaru said the English team had helped them with sponsorship and training in the United Kingdom.