https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud/en/terms.html
VII. B "In addition, Apple may terminate your Account upon 30 days’ prior notice via email to the address associated with your Account if (a) your Account has been inactive for one (1) year; or (b) there is a general discontinuance of the Service or any part thereof."
You will either need to get the account working again or you will need to original receipt from Apple. Those are pretty rigid requirements by Apple. (The people on this forum are users like yourself with no connection to Apple.)
Apple has two related features, Activation Lock ( http://support.apple.com/HT201365 ) and Find My ( https://www.apple.com/icloud/find-my/ ), which effectively prevent anyone else from using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if it's ever lost or stolen. Deactivation of either requires knowing the Apple ID (email address, or possibly a telephone number in some countries) and password that set the feature, or by placing a special request to Apple to reset the device. This Apple Account information essentially defines the current ownership of the device.
If you do not know the required information, are not the signed-in owner, or do not have Apple accepted proof of purchase, get the owner of the account to remove the lock, or return the device for a refund, or recycle the device. The device is otherwise useless to you. If the owner is unknown and has not provided contact information as a message showing in the login screen, there is no way to contact the owner unless the person who gave you the device knows them.
Here are additional resources if you are the account owner, can find the previous device owner, or have an Apple accepted proof or purchase:
● Read this article for disabling Find My if Activation Lock has not yet engaged --> https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/remove-devices-and-items-from-find-my-mmdc23b125f6/icloud , or this one to learn how to remove Activation Lock either on the device itself or on the web --> https://support.apple.com/HT201441
● Help with a missing Apple ID or password:
• For help with a forgotten Apple ID (this is likely an active email address or one used in the past), click here --> https://support.apple.com/HT201354
• For help with a forgotten Apple Account password, click here --> https://support.apple.com/HT201487
● Reset device if you can prove to Apple's satisfaction you are the owner:
Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. This is done online* at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not provide many details in the article as to what is acceptable proof. Prior to this official service Apple typically required the original receipt** issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. Note that while this will let you get use of the device again, it will not help you with lost access to an account. In addition, Apple will not reset if Lost Mode is set on a device.
* There is a special link for this service. To save time you should use it instead of https://getsupport.apple.com/
**Apple recommends you keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device. --> https://support.apple.com/HT202711
I don't think you stand much chance of getting the account working again but if you wish to try , this support article has various methods for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ https://support.apple.com/106932 Scroll down to “Connect with live support”. If your country is not in the list, go to the “Other countries” entry at the end of the list and click on the “options” link. Telephone numbers may only work when calling from the same country.
With an iPhone, iPad, or Vision, you can chat using the Apple Support App if it is available in your country —> https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044
For chat help with a USA Apple Account —>
https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0998&symptom_id=20198
