How to sign up for Instagram without phone number?

A year or two ago I was able to create an Instagram account using a VPN and email alias no problem. Today I tried creating accounts on a new iPhone with a VPN and email alias but they are now demanding a phone number. I tried again using mobile data and a different alias service but they still demand it. Is this a hard requirement in 2026 or is there still a way to privately create an Instagram account without providing a number? SMS pool doesn’t have my country which can be problematic as Instagram will know my true country and buying a whole burner phone and prepaid plan for this is way too expensive.