Chances are, you never really associated soccer with horns. You've probably also never associated rugby with pianos, or basketball with bongo drums, or curling with theremins either. But hey, each day brings something new.

The soccer horn -- better known as the VUVUZELA -- is one of the biggest fads among soccer fans right now. Originally made of tin, the vuvuzela was made popular by South African soccer fans -- particularly the rival Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. It gained even more popularity during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, where the sound of thousands of fans, each blowing his own soccer horn, caused no small amount of controversy.

As you may have guessed, the vuvuzela is loud. And when you're trying to concentrate on defending a goal net, or stealing the ball, or protecting the ball, hearing an entire stadium full of tooting, bleating horns can be a bit of a distraction. That's why there's been some controversy over whether this particular soccer horn should be allowed at professional games. FIFA, the international organization governing World Cup soccer, has given the thumbs-up to the soccer horn, over the protests of some European players, fans and broadcasters, who feel the vuvuzela is more irritating distraction than celebratory noisemaker.

At least one European nation has banned vuvuzelas, against FIFA's wishes; Austrian soccer officials have announced that the soccer horn won't be allowed in its stadiums anymore, citing that fans can use the horns as missiles to throw at players or other fans.

Vuvuzela supporters argue that the horn is a colorful aspect of South African culture, and banning it would be just as bad as banning cow bells at Swiss games, or chanting at English games.

But those opposed to the soccer horn feel its status as a unique piece of South African heritage is -- no pun intended -- overblown, and the noise it creates is too jarring. One vuvuzela is merely irritating, critics claim, but an entire stadium full is like a swarm of giant wasps.

FIFA's approval means the horns will be allowed at upcoming World Cup games. Whatever the future holds for the vuvuzela, it's unlikely they'll totally disappear from international games.