The present invention provides a recombinant foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) capsid precursor protein comprising a modified VP1 protein and optionally further comprising a modified VP4 protein. The invention further relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule and an expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule for recombinant expression of the modified capsid precursor protein. In further aspects, the invention relates to a virus-like particle (VLP) obtained from the modified capsid precursor protein and a vaccine for use in the protection of a subject against an infection with FMDV produced from the VLP.